Visit Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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visit

[ˈvɪzɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

travel

To go to see a person or place for a period of time.

Synonyms

explore, tour, travel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
visit

When used to talk about going to a location, it can be casual or formal. The term can also refer to virtual visits, like on a website.

  • They plan to visit the new amusement park next month.
  • She visited the company's website to learn more about their products.
tour

Use this when you take a guided trip around a place, often for educational or leisurely purposes. This usually implies a structured itinerary.

  • We took a guided tour of the historical landmarks.
  • They signed up for a tour of the wine country.
explore

This is ideal when you want to thoroughly search or examine a place to discover more about it. It implies a sense of adventure or searching for something new.

  • We spent the afternoon exploring the old town.
  • He likes to explore new hiking trails every weekend.
travel

Ideal for when you move from one place to another, often covering a long distance. This word can be used for both short and long trips but often implies a longer journey.

  • She loves to travel and see new countries.
  • They traveled across Europe during their summer vacation.

Examples of usage

  • We are planning to visit Europe next summer.
  • She visited her grandmother in the hospital.
Context #2 | Noun

tourism

An act of going to see a person or place for a period of time.

Synonyms

excursion, journey, trip.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
visit

When you go to see someone or a place for a short period. It can be formal or informal.

  • I plan to visit my grandparents this weekend.
  • She decided to visit the new museum in town.
trip

A travel experience that includes traveling from one place to another and back again, usually for a specific purpose such as leisure or business.

  • We are planning a trip to Paris next summer.
  • She took a business trip to Chicago last month.
excursion

A short trip for pleasure or educational purposes, often as a group.

  • The school organized an excursion to the science museum.
  • We went on an excursion to the mountains last Sunday.
journey

When you travel from one place to another, usually over a long distance. It can be physical, emotional, or metaphorical.

  • The journey from New York to Los Angeles took six hours by plane.
  • His spiritual journey over the past year has been inspiring.

Examples of usage

  • The museum had a lot of visitors this month.
  • I enjoyed my visit to the zoo.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Practices

  • In many cultures, visiting is a vital social practice, fostering community ties and friendships.
  • Hospitality during visits varies across civilizations; for example, in Middle Eastern cultures, guests are often honored and offered food and drink.
  • Festivals often encourage visits to family and friends, reinforcing bonds and sharing cultural traditions.

Psychology

  • Research shows that social visits can enhance feelings of happiness, community connection, and reduce loneliness.
  • The act of visiting can boost our mood, as interactions with friends and family release oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
  • People who regularly visit loved ones are often deemed to have stronger support systems and healthier mental states.

Technology

  • In the digital era, virtual visits via video calls have become common, bridging distances and allowing for face-to-face interactions.
  • Platforms like social media create new ways to 'visit' friends, as people can share experiences and updates instantly.
  • Augmented reality technology is exploring ways to make virtual visits feel more immersive and real.

Education

  • Educational visits to museums, historical sites, and nature centers enhance learning by bringing subjects to life.
  • Field trips are organized visits that provide hands-on experiences and make learning more engaging for students.
  • Guest speakers in classrooms create a form of 'visiting' that introduces new ideas and perspectives to learners.

Origin of 'visit'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'visitare', which means 'to go to see'.
  • In the early 15th century, 'visit' was used mainly in religious contexts, referring to paying respect to saints or holy places.
  • Over time, the meaning expanded to include social visits and tourism, reflecting changes in society.

The word 'visit' originated from the Latin word 'visitare', which means 'to go to see' or 'to frequent'. The usage of 'visit' can be traced back to the 13th century in English literature. Over time, the word has retained its original meaning of going to see a person or place for a period of time, with additional nuances related to tourism and exploration.


See also: revisit, revisiting, visiting, visitor, visitors.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,295, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.