tour

tour — noun

1. A short trip around a place such as a museum, city, or building where you stop t

1.nounA2
Definition

A short trip around a place such as a museum, city, or building where you stop to look at interesting things and learn about them.

Example

The museum offers a free guided tour every morning at ten.

collocation: guided tour

Quan took a bus tour of the old town during his first day in Kyoto.

Common collocations
  • guided tour
  • bus tour
  • walking tour
  • self-guided tour
  • tour of the museum
  • give someone a tour
Synonyms
  • visit

    more general; a tour is a specific kind of visit with guided elements

  • guided walk

    specifically a walking tour, usually with a guide

  • sightseeing trip

    focuses on seeing famous sights rather than learning in depth

Grammar Patterns

tour + of + place

guided tour + of + place

Usage Note

Frequently occurs with 'guided', 'self-guided', or 'bus' as modifiers to describe the type of visit.

Common Mistakes

I joined a trip of the palace.
I joined a tour of the palace.
Use 'tour' when the visit includes looking around and learning about a specific place.

2. A journey to several different places for enjoyment, usually as a holiday or vac

2.nounA2
Definition

A journey to several different places for enjoyment, usually as a holiday or vacation.

Example

Ramón and his family went on a two-week tour of Italy last summer.

collocation: go on a tour of [place]

The travel agency offers package tours to Southeast Asia at reasonable prices.

collocation: package tour

Common collocations
  • package tour
  • go on a tour
  • cycling tour
  • coach tour
  • tour of Europe
Synonyms
  • trip

    broader; can be for any purpose, not necessarily visiting multiple places

  • journey

    emphasises the travelling itself rather than the sightseeing

  • excursion

    shorter, often a day trip from a main holiday location

Grammar Patterns

tour + of + place

tour + through + place

Usage Note

Often combined with a type of travel: 'cycling tour', 'coach tour', 'walking tour'. A 'package tour' includes transport and accommodation arranged together.

Common Mistakes

We made a tour to Japan last month.
We went on a tour of Japan last month.
Use 'go on a tour' or 'take a tour', not 'make a tour'.

3. A planned series of performances, matches, or public appearances that takes a ba

3.nounB1
Definition

A planned series of performances, matches, or public appearances that takes a band, theatre company, sports team, or public figure to various locations.

Example

The band announced a world tour that will include shows in twenty countries.

collocation: world tour

Adisa played his first professional golf tournament during the Asian tour last year.

collocation: Asian tour / European tour (sports circuit)

Common collocations
  • world tour
  • national tour
  • on tour
  • summer tour
  • European tour
Synonyms
  • circuit

    more specific to sports or competitions with a regular schedule

  • run

    a series of performances at one venue rather than across locations

Grammar Patterns

world tour

national tour

on tour

Usage Note

Common with 'on tour' (without article): 'The band is on tour.' In sports, 'tour' can also refer to a professional circuit (e.g. 'the Asian golf tour').

Common Mistakes

The singer makes a tour last year.
The singer went on tour last year.
Use 'go on tour' or 'be on tour' without an article.

4. A fixed period of time during which someone serves in the military, as a diploma

4.nounB2
Definition

A fixed period of time during which someone serves in the military, as a diplomat, or in a similar role at a specific location.

Example

The soldier returned home after completing a six-month tour of duty overseas.

fixed phrase: tour of duty

Sahil's first diplomatic tour was at the embassy in Tokyo.

collocation: diplomatic tour

Common collocations
  • tour of duty
  • diplomatic tour
  • military tour
  • tour in Afghanistan
Synonyms
  • posting

    used for diplomatic or job assignments rather than military service

  • assignment

    broader, can refer to any job posting

  • stint

    informal, any limited period of work

Grammar Patterns

tour of duty

tour + in + place

Usage Note

Almost always used with 'of duty' when referring to military service: 'tour of duty'. For diplomatic or humanitarian work, 'tour' alone or 'tour of duty' both work.

Common Mistakes

He did a travel of duty in Germany.
He did a tour of duty in Germany.
'Tour of duty' is the fixed phrase; 'travel' cannot replace 'tour' here.
Idioms

whistle-stop tour

idiom

A very fast trip with many short stops, visiting many places in a short time — often used for political campaigns.

The candidate went on a whistle-stop tour of the southern states before the election.

We did a whistle-stop tour of Europe, spending only one day in each city.

tour — verb

Word family

  • tourist
    nounA2
  • tourism
    nounB1
  • touring
    adjectiveB1
  • tour guide
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These four words all describe travel, but they differ in length and purpose. A 'tour' is a planned journey that visits several places, usually for sightseeing or enjoyment — such as a coach tour of Italy. A 'trip' is the most general word and can be short or long, for any purpose: 'a business trip', 'a day trip to the beach'. A 'journey' emphasises the travelling itself and is often longer or more difficult: 'a three-day journey through the mountains'. An 'excursion' is a short outing from where you are staying, like an afternoon excursion to a nearby castle. For learners: use 'tour' when visiting multiple destinations with a plan; use 'trip' for most everyday situations; use 'journey' when the travel time or experience matters; and use 'excursion' for short side-trips during a holiday.

tourtripjourneyexcursion

Common collocations

Nouns

  • guide
  • bus
  • operator
  • group

Adverbs

  • guided
  • self-guided
  • organised
  • whistle-stop
  • grand

Phrases

  • on tour
  • tour of duty
  • go on a tour
  • take a tour

Prepositions

  • of
  • around
  • through
  • across

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'tour' entered English from Old French 'tour' meaning 'a turn, circuit, or round', which came from Latin 'tornus' (a lathe — a tool that spins in a circle). The original idea was of moving around in a circle and returning to the starting point, which is how guided tours and performance tours both work: you set out, visit places, and come back home.