An excursion is a short trip or journey, usually taken for pleasure, learning, or a special purpose, with the intention of returning to your starting point soon after.

Core definition of excursion

  • A short trip or outing made for pleasure, relaxation, or education, often organized for a group, such as a school trip or a day tour while traveling.
  • It typically starts and ends on the same day or over a very short period, with a clear plan to return promptly.

Other common meanings

  • A discounted trip by train, bus, ship, or similar, often advertised as “excursion fare” or “excursion ticket” for a special low-rate journey.
  • A group of people going on such a short journey together, for example “an excursion of tourists.”
  • A digression or deviation from a main subject or usual activity, as in “an excursion into politics” or “a brief excursion into drama.”
  • In physics or engineering , the word can mean the movement or displacement of something from its normal or central position, such as the excursion of a piston.

Everyday example

If your class spends Saturday visiting a nearby museum and returns home by evening, that day trip is an excursion.