excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a going out or forth : expedition

b(1)

: a usually brief pleasure trip

(2)

: a trip at special reduced rates

2

: deviation from a direct, definite, or proper course

especially : digression

needless excursions into abstruse theory

3

: a movement outward and back or from a mean position or axis

also : the distance traversed : amplitude

the excursion of a piston

Did you know?

In Latin, the prefix ex- means "out of" and the verb currere means "to run." When the two are put together, they form the verb excurrere, literally "to run out" or "to extend." Excurrere gave rise not only to excursion but also to excurrent (an adjective for things having channels or currents that run outward) and excursus (meaning "an appendix or digression that contains further exposition of some point or topic"). Other words deriving from currere include corridor, curriculum, and among newer words, parkour.

Synonyms

• jaunt
• junket
• outing
• ramble
• sally
• sashay
• sortie
• spin

Examples of excursion in a Sentence

They went on a brief excursion to the coast.

our weekend excursions have encompassed virtually all parts of our home state

Recent Examples on the Web

As a fashion writer, naturally, part of the fun is assembling fall outfits for these excursions. —Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2024

Guests will kick off the excursion with a stay at the sunny Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club in South Florida. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2024

Most Popular Most Popular Smallmouth bass excursion on Lake of the Woods’ south shore offers action that’s hard to comprehend Smallmouth bass excursion on Lake of the Woods' south shore offers action that’s hard to comprehend Calling all voters: What is the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota’? —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2024

Our tour guide for the excursion was Barb Wunsch, who is a 6th generation fruit grower. —Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a short trip for pleasure

b

: a trip at special reduced rates

2

: a wandering off from the subject : digression

Etymology

from Latin excursio, excursion- "a going out," from excurrere "to run out, make an excursion, extend," from ex- "out, forth" and currere "to run" — related to current

Medical Definition

excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən 

1

a

: a movement outward and back or from a mean position or axis

excursion of the femur

b

: the distance traversed

2

: one complete movement of expansion and contraction of the lungs and their membranes (as in breathing)