trek
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to travel or migrate slowly or with difficulty, often through rough or unsettled territory.
He managed to escape from a Siberian labor camp and trekked to Iran, a three-year journey.
-
to hike long distances as a recreational activity, especially over rough terrain.
He's trekked through the Himalayas and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
-
to make a short but difficult trip on foot.
We trekked back to our hotel in the pouring rain.
-
South Africa. to travel by ox wagon.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a slow or difficult journey, hike, or trip.
-
South Africa.
-
a migration or expedition, especially by ox wagon.
-
a stage of such a journey, between one stopping place and the next.
-
noun
-
a long and often difficult journey
-
a journey or stage of a journey, esp a migration by ox wagon
verb
-
(intr) to make a trek
-
(tr) (of an ox, etc) to draw (a load)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
treksimple
-
trekssimple
-
have trekkedperfect
-
has trekkedperfect
-
am trekkingprogressive
-
are trekkingprogressive
-
is trekkingprogressive
-
have been trekkingperfect progressive
-
has been trekkingperfect progressive
Past
-
trekkedsimple
-
had trekkedperfect
-
was trekkingprogressive
-
were trekkingprogressive
-
had been trekkingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of trek
First recorded in 1845–50; from Afrikaans and Dutch noun trek “a tug, pull, march”; verb from Afrikaans trek “to draw, pull, migrate,” from Dutch trekken
Explanation
Want to go on a trek through the mountains? Make sure you have good shoes, drinking water, and snacks. A trek is a long and difficult journey. The word trek implies an extended trip that is hard — a climb up a mountain or a journey through dense forests. In Star Trek, the crew of the Enterprise is on a journey through space that will last a long time. You wouldn't say that you took a trek to the corner grocery unless you had to fight through three feet of snow to get there.
Vocabulary lists containing trek
President Obama's Farewell Address
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!
Stargirl
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!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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.
"I think of it like the Star Trek motto, to boldly go where no one has before," Burton says.
From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026
Starring as George Spencer was James Doohan, who later found fame as Scotty, chief engineer of the starship Enterprise, in the original Star Trek series.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Class canceled: In a surprise and oddly timed move, Paramount has canceled “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” with the announcement coming right after the conclusion of the first season.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
Shatner played the daring Captain James T. Kirk in 1960s sci-fi adventure franchise "Star Trek," which follows the crew of a spaceship as it spreads liberal humanitarian ideals through the galaxy.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
I ground the marker over Mom and that ridiculous Star Trek costume.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
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.
