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

It was the final stretch of a punishing four-day pilgrimage to Mexico’s most venerated shrine, where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared nearly 500 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

We have no obligation to travel far and wide, to make religious pilgrimages.

From The Wall Street Journal

“At the top of the risk scale, lightning, though rare, kills instantly,” he writes of his pilgrimage.

From The Wall Street Journal

This has resulted in diminished attendance at Catholic celebrations, canceled pilgrimages, and bishops permitting Catholics to skip Mass due to fear of immigration raids.

From Los Angeles Times

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

From BBC

Related Words

• crusade
• excursion
• expedition
• tour
• trip