pilgrimage

American  

[pil-gruh-mij] / ˈpɪl grə mɪdʒ /

noun

1. a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion.

   a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

2. Islam.

   1. the Pilgrimage, hajj.

   2. ʿumrah.

3. 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.

   Synonyms:

   tour, excursion

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verb (used without object)

pilgrimaged, pilgrimaging

1. to make a pilgrimage.

pilgrimage British  

/ ˈpɪlɡrɪmɪdʒ /

noun

1. a journey to a shrine or other sacred place

2. a journey or long search made for exalted or sentimental reasons

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verb

1. (intr) to make a pilgrimage

Related Words

See trip ¹.

Etymology

Origin of pilgrimage

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

Example Sentences

In Matthew Kressel’s novel, a woman’s journey across the red planet is a pilgrimage in quest of human connection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The US Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens in a post on X to reconsider travelling to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage next month due to security concerns.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

In April 2025, several hundred scientists and engineers made a pilgrimage to a big birthday party in Murray Hill, N.J.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The theme of "pilgrimage" continues into this afternoon's installation service too, with religious rites performed in locations through the cathedral from its western most to eastern most ends.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Throngs of people, obviously Muslims from everywhere, bound on the pilgrimage, were hugging and embracing.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• crusade
• excursion
• expedition
• tour
• trip