excursion

noun

ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Research from Maryland shows that 20 to 40 percent of mature bucks continue to make doe excursions into December. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024 On our return to The Ravel after every excursion, we are greeted by a welcome party of staff holding out a cold towel and a glass of buck's fizz. James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024 Or splurge on an all-day excursion — Tritten leads private groups on goat hikes to a remote waterfall. Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Don't skip the town of Soufrière on your way to Sulphur Springs; dinner at Orlando's and shopping at Zaka Art Café round out an exciting island excursion. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for excursion 

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of excursion was circa 1587

Dictionary Entries Near excursion

Cite this Entry

“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

excursion

noun
ex·​cur·​sion ik-ˈskər-zhən How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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 How to pronounce excursion (audio)
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)

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