pilgrimage

[pil-gruh-mij]

See more synonyms for pilgrimage on Thesaurus.com

noun

a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion: a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Islam.
1. the Pilgrimage,hajj.
2. ʿumrah.
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), pil·grim·aged, pil·grim·ag·ing.

to make a pilgrimage.

Origin of pilgrimage

1200–50; Middle English pilegrimage (see pilgrim, -age); replacing earlier pelrimage, alteration of Old French pelerinage

Synonyms for pilgrimage

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3. excursion, tour. See trip¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pilgrimage

excursion, tour, trip, crusade, expedition, travel, mission, wayfaring

Examples from the Web for pilgrimage

Contemporary Examples of pilgrimage

Mrs. Kouachi works at a nursery and has worn the veil since she made the pilgrimage to Mecca in 2008.
France Mourns—and Hunts
Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey
January 8, 2015
So the trip to The Macallan estate was sort of a pilgrimage.
A Whisky Connoisseur Remembers That First Sip of The Macallan
December 10, 2014
For her next project, the idea of a “pilgrimage” plays another role.
Annie Leibovitz Talks About ‘Pilgrimage,’ Susan Sontag, Vogue & More
Justin Jones
November 20, 2014
RELATED: Annie Leibovitz's 'Pilgrimage' (Photos) The subjects for Pilgrimage, on the other hand, are intimate objects.
Annie Leibovitz Talks About ‘Pilgrimage,’ Susan Sontag, Vogue & More
Justin Jones
November 20, 2014
“Pilgrimage roads were important in connecting a multicultural religious community,” Chan said.
When Saudi Arabia Ruled the World
Emily Wilson
October 31, 2014

Historical Examples of pilgrimage

Moreover, all the fourteen trains of the pilgrimage were timed to leave that day.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
And did Bernadette ever extend the pilgrimage of her dreams as far as Bartres?
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
And thus Rome was become the place of pilgrimage for all the West.
The Formation of Christendom, Volume VI
Thomas W. (Thomas William) Allies
Our pilgrimage was, apparently, ended—it had become an indefinite stay.
Kent Knowles: Quahaug
Joseph C. Lincoln
What sunny memories were woven in that pilgrimage for the strollers!
The Strollers
Frederic S. Isham

British Dictionary definitions for pilgrimage

pilgrimage

noun

a journey to a shrine or other sacred place
a journey or long search made for exalted or sentimental reasons

verb

(intr) to make a pilgrimage

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pilgrimage

late 13c., pelrimage; from pilgrim + -age and also from Old French pelrimage, pelerinage "pilgrimage, distant journey, crusade," from peleriner "to go on a pilgrimage." Modern spelling from early 14c.