excursion

[ik-skur-zhuh n, -shuh n] /ɪkˈskɜr ʒən, -ʃən/
noun
1.
a short trip or outing to some place, usually for a special purpose and with the intention of a prompt return:
a pleasure excursion; a scientific excursion.
2.
a trip on a train, ship, etc., at a reduced rate:
weekend excursions to mountain resorts.
3.
the group of persons making such a journey:
an excursion of tourists.
4.
a deviation or digression:
excursions into futile philosophizing.
5.
Physics. the displacement of a body or a point from a mean position or neutral value, as in an oscillation.
6.
an accidental increase in the power level of a reactor, usually forcing its emergency shutdown.
7.
Machinery.
  1. the range of stroke of any moving part.
  2. the stroke itself.
8.
Obsolete. a sally or raid.
verb (used without object)
9.
to go on or take an excursion.
adjective
10.
of, pertaining to, or intended for use on excursions:
an excursion fare; an excursion bus.
Origin
1565-75; < Latin excursiōn- (stem of excursiō). See excursus, -ion
Related forms
excursional, excursionary, adjective
preexcursion, noun
Examples from the web for excursion
  • She'll need salt, so we're planning a group beach excursion to harvest salt again.
  • It's also difficult to combine dining with a pub excursion given the tight opening hours.
  • It occurs to me an excursion in etymology led to an excursion in gastronomy led to a question about nuts.
  • Thirteen sixth graders are milling around, preparing to set off on a daylong excursion.
  • Wanted to take my parents on an excursion of the island but not sure where the nicest points of interest are.
  • With his signature whimsy and wordplay, the author takes a jaunty excursion into a long, long lost world.
  • Kindly put some more photos of your excursion online.
  • Ditto an all-too-brief excursion to outer space, the series' first attempt at dogfights.
  • Everyone would agree that events in his past have prepared him for today's excursion.
  • And remember: any weather excursion means heat is where it is not usually found.
British Dictionary definitions for excursion

excursion

/ɪkˈskɜːʃən; -ʒən/
noun
1.
a short outward and return journey, esp for relaxation, sightseeing, etc; outing
2.
a group of people going on such a journey
3.
(modifier) of or relating to special reduced rates offered on certain journeys by rail: an excursion ticket
4.
a digression or deviation; diversion: an excursion into politics
5.
(formerly) a raid or attack
6.
(physics)
  1. a movement from an equilibrium position, as in an oscillation
  2. the magnitude of this displacement
7.
the normal movement of a movable bodily organ or part from its resting position, such as the lateral movement of the lower jaw
8.
(machinery) the locus of a point on a moving part, esp the deflection of a whirling shaft
Word Origin
C16: from Latin excursiō an attack, from excurrere to run out, from currere to run
Word Origin and History for excursion
n.

1570s, "a deviation in argument," also "a military sally," from Latin excursionem (nominative excursio) "a running forth, sally, excursion, expedition," noun of action from past participle stem of excurrere "run out, run forth, hasten," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + currere "to run" (see current (adj.)). Sense of "journey" recorded in English by 1660s.