excursion

A short trip, often for fun or learning, usually with a return on the same day.

• We went on a boat excursion.
• The hotel offers excursions to nearby villages.
• Did you enjoy the school excursion yesterday?

How to use it: excursion to somewhere (We booked an excursion to the island.); go on an excursion (The class went on an excursion to the museum.)

Similar words: trip, outing

Common phrases: day excursion, school excursion, excursion to somewhere

A brief move away from your usual activity, subject, or way of doing things.

• His excursion into politics was brief.
• The novel includes an unexpected excursion into philosophy.
• After several musical excursions, the band returned to its original style.

How to use it: excursion into something (Her excursion into acting lasted only a year.); excursion from something (This chapter is an excursion from the main argument.)

Similar words: digression, detour

Common phrases: excursion into politics, brief excursion, excursion into something