pilgrimage
Americannoun
-
a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion.
a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
-
Islam.
-
any long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose, as to pay homage.
a pilgrimage to the grave of Shakespeare.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a journey to a shrine or other sacred place
-
a journey or long search made for exalted or sentimental reasons
verb
Synonym Usage
See trip 1.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
pilgrimagesimple
-
pilgrimagessimple
-
have pilgrimagedperfect
-
has pilgrimagedperfect
-
am pilgrimagingprogressive
-
are pilgrimagingprogressive
-
is pilgrimagingprogressive
-
have been pilgrimagingperfect progressive
-
has been pilgrimagingperfect progressive
Past
-
pilgrimagedsimple
-
had pilgrimagedperfect
-
was pilgrimagingprogressive
-
were pilgrimagingprogressive
-
had been pilgrimagingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of pilgrimage
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English pilegrimage ( see pilgrim, -age); replacing earlier pelrimage, alteration of Old French pelerinage
Explanation
A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place. People make pilgrimages to places like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Dharamsala as part of their religious or spiritual practice. A pilgrimage is often a spiritual journey, but some pilgrimages deal with other kinds of devotion. For example, fans often visit the places that are — or were — significant to their heroes. Every August 16th, Elvis Presley fans from around the country make a pilgrimage to his famous former home, Graceland, to commemorate the anniversary of his death.
Vocabulary lists containing pilgrimage
"Beowulf," Vocabulary from the epic poem
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Human Geography - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
World Religions
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Chiapas is a time bomb,” Father Marcelo told Mexico’s Aristegui Noticias in September, when he was among thousands who took part in a Pilgrimage for Peace in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the state capital.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2024
It was also a highlight of the longstanding tradition known as Pilgrimage.
From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2024
Pilgrimage had been obligatory for Jewish people until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, but even after that time, the city continued to play a special role in Jewish life.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
DePree points out a 17th Century fireplace that once belonged to poet Lord Byron, who visited while writing his seminal work Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2022
“I am not now that which I have been,” Byron wrote in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, and that could have been Bobby’s answer to his spiritual change near the end of his life.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
