noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ɪkˈskɜː.ʃən/
Canada, General-American:/ɛkˈskɝ.ʒən/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australian:/ekˈskɜː.ʃən/
rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)ʃən
rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)ʒən
CMU ARPABET:IH0 K S K ER1 ZH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A brief recreational trip; a journey out of the usual way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
While driving home I took an excursion and saw some deer.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A field trip.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australia
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A wandering from the main subject: a digression.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
An occurrence where an aircraft runs off the end or side of a runway or taxiway, usually during takeoff, landing, or taxi.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Temporary deviation from a regular course or pattern
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
After an unsuccessful excursion into banking, I've returned to public life.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To go on a recreational trip or excursion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
1825, Charles Lamb, Letter to Mr. Wordsworth, 6 April, 1825, in The Works of Charles Lamb, Volume I, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851, p. 249, https://books.google.ca/books?id=ypdNAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Yesterday I excursioned twenty miles; to-day I write a few letters.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
wandering from the main path of a journey
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Borrowed from Latin excursiō (“a running out, an inroad, invasion, a setting out, beginning of a speech”), from excurrere (“to run out”), from ex (“out”) + currere (“to run”). By surface analysis, excurse + -ion. Compare excursus.
Across languages
Translations
75 source translations are retained for this English entry.