I. ˈtu̇(ə)r, ˈtu̇ə, in sense 1 sometimes ˈtau̇(ə)r or ˈtau̇ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Old French tor, tour, torn, tourn lathe, circuit, turn — more at turn
1.
a. : one's turn in an orderly arrangement or schedule : a shift usually in a factory
b. : a period during which an individual or unit is on a specific duty or at one place
assigned to short tours of duty at a number of United States Army stations — Current Biography
my tour of duty in Kenya lasted fourteen months — John Muggeridge
c. : a single circuit of a postal carrier around his route
2. obsolete : a circuitous movement : a revolution especially of a heavenly body
3.
a.
(1) : a journey in which one returns to the starting point : a circular trip usually for business, pleasure, or education during which various places are visited and for which an itinerary is often planned
an inexpensive tour of Europe — T.R.Ybarra
a motor tour of New England
(2) : something resembling such a tour
making a tour of all the problems confronting the West — New York Times
b.
(1) : a brief turn : round
the very walks of the garden are so moist that … no person can make a tour of it — Tobias Smollett
(2) : a short drive or outing often representing a social occasion
c. : a circuit of an island
d. : a visit (as to a museum, factory, or historic site) for enjoyment or instruction usually under the auspices of a guide
a brief opening ceremony followed by a tour of the new school
the group made a conducted tour of the battleground
e. : a series of professional engagements involving travel from one place to another
after a successful nationwide tour , the play was made into a motion picture — Current Biography
took his small theatrical company on tour in the provinces
4. : a headdress of the 17th and 18th centuries usually built high by adding false hair, pads, or trimmings
5. obsolete : the compass or range of something : sum and substance
6. : one of the distinct portions of a more or less continuous song of a canary
II. ˈtu̇(ə)r, ˈtu̇ə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to direct one's steps : go , proceed
loves holding onto someone's hands and touring around the room — Infant Care
2.
a. : to make a tour
toured through Central America and Mexico
b. : to go on tour especially with or in a theatrical production
the star headed an obedient company in the city or toured by himself — Margery Bailey
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make a tour of
toured the countryside instructing workers — Americana Annual
b. : to take on a tour
the group was toured through the factory
2. : to present (as a theatrical production) on a tour
students … tour a children's theater play for one week each spring — Alice Griffin