trek

[ trek ]

verb (used without object)

, trekked, trek·king.

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, trek·king.

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)

Derived Forms

• ˈtrekker, noun

Other Words From

• un·trekked 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

Related Words

• expedition
• hike
• odyssey
• trip