Wanderjahr

[vahn-duh r-yahr]

noun, plural Wan·der·jah·re

[vahn-duh r-yah-ruh] /ˈvɑn dərˌyɑ rə/. German.

a year or period of travel, especially following one's schooling and before practicing a profession.
(formerly) a year in which an apprentice traveled and improved his skills before settling down to the practice of his trade.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for wanderjahr

Historical Examples of wanderjahr

Perchance, my Wanderjahr has not arrived, but you cannot wait for that.
The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume VI, Familiar Letters
Henry David Thoreau
I am reading the "Wanderjahr," having finished the "Lehrjahr."
Records of Later Life
Frances Ann Kemble
A Wanderjahr for the working-man would do much to cement the unity of western civilization.
The Unity of Civilization
Various
After the University and after my wanderjahr, I thought it would be another easy task to come here, and 'learn the business.'
The Return of Peter Grimm
David Belasco
After leaving Russia the young poet spent the rest of his Wanderjahr in Italy.
Life of Robert Browning
William Sharp

British Dictionary definitions for wanderjahr

Wanderjahr

noun plural -jahre (-jaːrə)

(formerly) a year in which an apprentice travelled to improve his skills

Word Origin for Wanderjahr

German, literally: wander year

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012