pilgrimage

[pil-gruh-mij]

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

verb (used without object)

pilgrimaged, pilgrimaging 

1. to make a pilgrimage.

pilgrimage

/ ˈpɪlɡrɪmɪdʒ /

noun

1. a journey to a shrine or other sacred place

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

verb

1. (intr) to make a pilgrimage

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilgrimage¹

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

Synonym Study

See trip ¹.

Example Sentences

"When they cast their eyes over Cranach's map, pausing at Mount Carmel, Nazareth, the River Jordan and Jericho, people were taken on a virtual pilgrimage," MacDonald says.

Read more on Science Daily

Over the centuries, this sacred site grew in prominence, becoming one of Britain's major pilgrimage destinations for more than 300 years.

Read more on BBC

Of course, for many shoppers on Friday, the pilgrimage to splurge at the local mall was about more than saving.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So, before the great grocery store pilgrimage begins, before any of us commits to peeling a single potato, let’s begin.

Read more on Salon

“It’s important,” says Hahn, when asked for this thoughts on why Disneyland has not only endured, but remains a pilgrimage for so many.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crusade 
• excursion 
• expedition 
• tour 
• trip