trek

American  

[trek] / trɛk /

verb (used without object)

trekked, trekking

1. 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.

2. to hike long distances as a recreational activity, especially over rough terrain.

   He's trekked through the Himalayas and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.

3. to make a short but difficult trip on foot.

   We trekked back to our hotel in the pouring rain.

4. South Africa. to travel by ox wagon.

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verb (used with object)

trekked, trekking

1. South Africa. (of a draft animal) to draw (a vehicle or load).

noun

1. a slow or difficult journey, hike, or trip.

2. South Africa.

   1. a migration or expedition, especially by ox wagon.

   2. a stage of such a journey, between one stopping place and the next.

trek British  

/ trɛk /

noun

1. a long and often difficult journey

2. a journey or stage of a journey, esp a migration by ox wagon

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verb

1. (intr) to make a trek

2. (tr) (of an ox, etc) to draw (a load)

Other Word Forms

• trekker
  noun
• untrekked
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

"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

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

Which brings me to Star Trek, perhaps the most prescient External link of the major sci‑fi franchises.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” premiering Thursday with back to back episodes on Paramount+, takes on the necessary assignment of going where no “Trek” has gone before, while also recalling all the places it has.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

I wish Abu Janan had a Super Channel so we could pick up "Star Trek," my favorite American show.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

Related Words

• hike
• migrate
• plod
• roam
• slog
• traipse
• tramp
• trudge