noun
- a city in and the capital of Indre-et-Loire, in W France, on the Loire River: Charles Martel defeated the Saracens near here a.d. 732.
noun
- a traveling around from place to place.
- a long journey including the visiting of a number of places in sequence, especially with an organized group led by a guide.
- a brief trip through a place, as a building or a site, in order to view or inspect it: The visiting prime minister was given a tour of the chemical plant.
- a journey from town to town to fulfill engagements, as by a theatrical company or an entertainer: to go on tour; a European concert tour.
- a period of duty at one place or in one job.
verb (used without object)
- to travel from place to place.
- to travel from town to town fulfilling engagements.
verb (used with object)
- to travel through (a place).
- to send or take (a theatrical company, its production, etc.) from town to town.
- to guide (someone) on a tour: He toured us through the chateaus of the Loire Valley.
noun
- a department in W central France. 2378 sq. mi. (6160 sq. km). Capital: Tours.
noun
- a former province in W France. Capital: Tours.
noun
- a town in W central France, on the River Loire: nearby is the scene of the defeat of the Arabs in 732, which ended the advance of Islam in W Europe. Pop: 132 820 (1999)
noun
- a department of W central France in the Centre region: contains many famous châteaux along the Loire. Capital: Tours. Pop: 563 062 (2003 est). Area: 6158 sq km (2402 sq miles)
noun
- an extended journey, usually taken for pleasure, visiting places of interest along the route
- military a period of service, esp in one place of duty
- a short trip, as for inspection
- a trip made by a theatre company, orchestra, etc, to perform in several different placesa concert tour
- an overseas trip made by a cricket or rugby team, etc, to play in several places
verb
- to make a tour of (a place)
- to perform (a show) or promote (a product) in several different places
noun
- a former province of NW central France: at its height in the 16th century as an area of royal residences, esp along the Loire. Chief town: Tours
early 14c., “a turn, a shift on duty,” from Old French tour, tourn “a turn, trick, round, circuit, circumference,” from torner, tourner “to turn,” from Latin tornare “to polish, round off, fashion, turn on a lathe” (see turn (v.)). Sense of “a traveling around, journey” is first recorded 1640s. Tour de France is recorded from 1922. The Grand Tour, a journey through France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy formerly was the finishing touch in the education of a gentleman.
1746, from tour (n.). Related: Toured; touring.