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

The two were on a trip in Costa Rica with their respective spouses back in 2009 and happened to be on the same sightseeing excursion bus. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024

Fun programming for families includes dessert-making sessions with the ship’s pastry chef, family shore excursions, local language classes, and VIP ship tours. —Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024

The holidays are all about magical journeys, inward and outward, and this season Rado is taking watch lovers on a unique, celebratory excursion. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024

The two-and-a-half-hour excursion, which includes six ziplines and two suspension bridges, costs $114.99. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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)