trek

[trek]

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.

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

/ trɛk /

noun

1. a long and often difficult journey

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

verb

1. (intr) to make a trek

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

Other Word Forms

• trekker noun
• untrekked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trek¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trek¹

C19: from Afrikaans, from Middle Dutch trekken to travel; related to Old Frisian trekka

Example Sentences

Last October, a group of teenagers spotted them trekking through the bush and filmed the encounter.

From BBC

Now aged 62, her five-day trek to the top of the dormant volcano in Tanzania, is her latest challenge in a bid to raise funds for charity Prevent Breast Cancer.

From BBC

Slash has a deep fascination with Universal Studios, made clear by his knowledge of how the park’s backlot tram trek — officially designated as the World-Famous Studio Tour — has shifted over the years.

From Los Angeles Times

But on this trek he had lost his pack and was at the mercy of the elements ever since, hungry, dehydrated and shivering under a bed of needles.

From Los Angeles Times

If you were lucky enough to snag tickets for either of the shows — or shelled out on resale — there are some crucial details to note before making the trek to Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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