trek
Americanverb (used without object)
-
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.
-
to hike long distances as a recreational activity, especially over rough terrain.
He's trekked through the Himalayas and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
-
to make a short but difficult trip on foot.
We trekked back to our hotel in the pouring rain.
-
South Africa. to travel by ox wagon.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a slow or difficult journey, hike, or trip.
-
South Africa.
-
a migration or expedition, especially by ox wagon.
-
a stage of such a journey, between one stopping place and the next.
-
noun
-
a long and often difficult journey
-
a journey or stage of a journey, esp a migration by ox wagon
verb
-
(intr) to make a trek
-
(tr) (of an ox, etc) to draw (a load)
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing trek
President Obama's Farewell Address
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Stargirl
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reaching the store requires a 50-mile trek from Phoenix through barren land dotted by cactuses and the occasional sign warning of blowing dust.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
And on Saturday his wife and daughters repeated that 15-mile trek alongside hundreds of others including Thompson's friends and family to raise funds for the Joe Thompson Foundation.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
But those recruits then need to decide whether to make the cross-state trek to work or relocate; the latter option means staring down bidding wars, pricey homes and high rents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
It takes magical thinking to grow anything in the harsh desert environment, which is why artists have been making the trek for decades.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
After the long trek down from the parking lot, she walked along the edge of the water.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
