tourism

noun

tour·​ism ˈtu̇r-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce tourism (audio)
1
: the practice of traveling for recreation
2
: the guidance or management of tourists
3
a
: the promotion or encouragement of touring
b
: the accommodation of tourists

Examples of tourism in a Sentence

The city developed the riverfront to encourage tourism. She has a job in tourism.
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.
Weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks on the UAE earlier this year, the vast majority of which were intercepted, sparked tensions among locals and hammered the country's tourism and aviation industry. — Jenni Reid,emma Graham, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 In 1921, the Miss America pageant was founded, a major event held in Atlantic City for decades that helped extend the tourism season. — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The resulting dependencies on China would cause the United States and its partners to slide down the global value chain into real estate, tourism, commodities, finance, and perhaps transnational tax evasion. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Beyond Europe's Classic Cycling Routes The Price sisters saw the rise in e-bike touring as an opportunity to design tours that explore local culture in places with little or no existing bike tourism. — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tourism

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tourism was in 1811

Rhymes for tourism

See All Rhymes for tourism

Browse Nearby Words

touring car
tourism
tourist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tourism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tourism. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tourism

noun
tour·​ism ˈtu̇(ə)r-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce tourism (audio)
: the practice of traveling for pleasure or the business of encouraging and serving such traveling

More from Merriam-Webster on tourism

Nglish: Translation of tourism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tourism

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