# travel

/ˈtɹævəɫ/ (US) · /tɹˈævəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/travel
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to go on a journey

verb · CEFR A1

to go from one place to another, especially over a long distance.

For teachers: to make a journey; to move from one geographic location to another, typically for leisure or professional purposes.

- They plan to travel across Europe by train next summer.
- The executive had to travel extensively throughout Southeast Asia to oversee the opening of the new regional offices.

Usage: Intransitive; often followed by a prepositional phrase indicating direction or duration.

### 2. to move or transmit

verb · CEFR B1

to move from one point to another, like light or sound.

For teachers: to move, pass, or be transmitted through a medium or along a path.

- Sound travels much slower than light, which is why you see lightning first.
- The shockwaves from the earthquake travelled hundreds of miles, causing minor tremors in neighbouring countries.

Usage: Often used with adverbs of speed or manner.

### 3. the activity of journeying

noun · CEFR A2

the general activity of going to different places.

For teachers: the general activity or concept of making journeys.

- Travel is much cheaper now than it was thirty years ago.
- International travel has seen a significant increase in volume since the introduction of budget airlines in the late nineties.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general activity.

### 4. a series of journeys

noun · CEFR B1

the specific journeys someone has made, often over a long time.

For teachers: a series of journeys or an account of experiences gained while journeying.

- She wrote a fascinating book about her travels in South America.
- In his later years, the explorer frequently lectured on his travels through the uncharted regions of the Amazon basin.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'travels'.

### 5. mechanical movement

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the distance a part of a machine moves.

For teachers: the range or distance of movement of a mechanical part, such as a piston or a keyboard key.

- This laptop keyboard has very short travel, so it feels different to type on.
- The engineer adjusted the cylinder to increase the travel of the piston, thereby improving the machine's overall efficiency.

## Examples

- Air travel is much faster than going by train.
- Her job involves a lot of international travel to meet with clients across Europe.
- While individual journeys may be exhausting, the broader concept of travel remains a powerful catalyst for personal growth and cultural understanding in a globalised world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.