Synonyms of excursion
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?

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.”

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.
As winter set in, Hopper made numerous excursions, trekking up to the Dixie Kitchen diner in Midtown to sketch the coffee urns, as well as salt and pepper shakers, cups, and napkin dispensers. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 To speed up the mission and reduce risk, the initial moon walkers will wear a lighter, less complex space suit than the one still under development by Axiom Space for longer, subsequent excursions. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 In addition to comfortable family suites and many bookable excursions, the AKI Kids Club goes above and beyond. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026 Legacy is heavy in the air for Jigga’s nostalgic excursion this year, not just for him, but for hip-hop. — Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excursion

Word History

Etymology

Latin excursion-, excursio, from excurrere

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of excursion was in 1566

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Cite this Entry

“Excursion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excursion. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

excursion

noun
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
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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