WordGarden.iotravel
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈævəl/
US
- /ˈtrævəl/
Meanings
Verb
to go from one place to another, especially on a trip or journey
to move from one place to another or be transmitted through space
Noun
the activity of going to places, especially over some distance
an illegal movement violation in basketball or similar sports
the distance or range through which a mechanical part can move
Beyond the definition
To travel means to go from one place to another, usually over some distance. People travel for many reasons, such as work, holidays, family visits, or learning about new places. You might travel to another city for a meeting, travel across a country on a train, or travel abroad for a vacation.
The word can be used as a verb, as in "I love to travel," or as a noun, as in "Air travel is often expensive." It can describe a short trip or a long journey. In everyday English, it usually suggests more than simple movement; it often includes the experience of going somewhere and what happens along the way.
To travel is fundamentally about movement—the act of going from one place to another. But the word carries a weight beyond simple locomotion. It evokes images of adventure, exploration, and broadening horizons. You might travel for business, attending meetings in different cities or countries. Or you might travel for leisure, seeking relaxation on a beach or immersing yourself in a new culture.
The context shapes the meaning. A daily commute to work is technically travel, but it doesn't carry the same romantic connotation as backpacking through Southeast Asia. Travel can be luxurious—first-class flights and five-star hotels—or minimalist—hitchhiking with just a backpack. It can be about reaching a destination, or savoring the journey itself.
Historically, travel was often arduous and dangerous, reserved for merchants, explorers, and those with significant resources. Today, thanks to advancements in transportation, travel is more accessible than ever before. We talk about "space travel," pushing the boundaries of where we can go. We also use it metaphorically: "His mind began to travel back to his childhood," meaning he was lost in thought and reminiscence.
So whether you're planning a grand adventure or simply navigating your daily routine, travel, at its core, is about the experience of moving through space and time—and all that comes with it.
Examples
- 1
Personal preference
I love to travel, but I usually stay close to home.
- 2
Train trips
We usually travel by train when we visit my grandparents.
- 3
Work trip
She traveled to Japan for work last spring.
- 4
Long journey
They spent six months traveling around South America.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Packing
If we take only backpacks, we can travel light.
- Phrasetravel light
travel with very few things
- 6
Frequent trips
His job involves a lot of travel.
- Phrasea lot of travel
many trips in general
- 7
Business trips
Business travel has started to increase again this year.
- 8
News spreading
The news traveled fast through the small town.
See also
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- travelnounverb
Forms
- traveling-ing formverbnoun
- travelling-ing formverbnoun
- traveledpast tenseverbnoun
- travelsverbnoun
- travelledpast tenseverbnoun