road show

¹ American  

Or roadshow

noun

1. a show, such as a play or musical comedy, performed by a touring group of actors.

2. an important motion picture, usually presented only twice daily on a reserved-seat basis and at increased prices.

3. any traveling exhibit, such as one promoting a company's products or a government program.

4. Informal. any group traveling around the country for a specific purpose, such as a political candidate together with an entourage.

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road-show ² American  

[rohd-shoh] / ˈroʊdˈʃoʊ /

adjective

1. of or relating to road shows.

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verb (used with object)

road-showed, road-showing

1. to present as a road show.

road show British  

noun

1. 1. a radio show broadcast live from one of a number of towns or venues being visited by a disc jockey who is touring an area

   2. the touring disc jockey and the personnel and equipment needed to present such a show

      the Radio 1 road show will be in Brighton next week

2. a group of entertainers, esp pop musicians, on tour

3. any occasion when an organization attracts publicity while touring or visiting

   an antiques road show

   a royal road show

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road show Idioms  

1. A tour made for a particular purpose, especially a political campaign. For example, It was primary season, and every would-be candidate was planning a road show. This term originated about 1900 for touring theatrical productions and in the mid-1900s began to be transferred to other endeavors.

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Etymology

Origin of road show¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Origin of road-show²

First recorded in 1870–80

Example Sentences

Politicians typically don’t mind campaign documentaries, because a race is a road show and the camera is a practice run for the performance part of the gig.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025

She hopes to organise a "quantum road show" as a first step in introducing schoolchildren to quantum science at a much earlier age that she was.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025

The road show will be based on a recent quantum computing course she held for secondary-school girls who attend classes at Aims-Ghana during their holidays.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025

The “Anti-Hero” and “Fortnight” singer, who wrapped the road show on Sunday after a three-night run in Vancouver, sold $2,077,618,725 in tickets during the 21-month outing.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2024

The horse’s campaign became a road show of athletic futility.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand