excursion
noun
Did you know?
A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 album The Low End Theory is not only widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, but one of the genre’s most successful early excursions into jazz, utilizing samples and even featuring legendary bassist Ron Carter on one song. Excursion refers to a usually brief, pleasurable trip, and is often used figuratively—as in the previous sentence—for metaphorical trips outside of one’s usual territory, be they artistic or otherwise. The word comes from the Latin verb excurrere (“to run out” or “to extend”), which combines the prefix ex- meaning “out of” and the verb currere meaning “to run.” Although it is sometimes used to refer to attacks or raids made against an enemy, as in “military excursions,” excursion is mostly used today for much more enjoyable jaunts, junkets, and rambles. Accordingly, on your next excursion, whether to the park, beach, or elsewhere, you could do worse than to queue up The Low End Theory on your playlist. The album’s first track, after all, is titled “Excursions.”
Synonyms
Examples of excursion in a Sentence
Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
The ship started shorter excursions in Europe last year, and is in the early days of its first world cruise.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
For sightseeing excursions and travel days, the Veja V-10 Sneakers are a trendy and incredibly comfortable option that have received a $45 discount in a beautiful pastel combination.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Cumulatively, souvenirs and excursions purchased by cruise passengers do add up.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for excursion 
Dictionary Entries Near excursion
Cite this Entry
“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excursion
noun
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
Share