pilgrimage
Americannoun
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a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion.
a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
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Islam.
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any long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose, as to pay homage.
a pilgrimage to the grave of Shakespeare.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a journey to a shrine or other sacred place
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a journey or long search made for exalted or sentimental reasons
verb
Related Words
See trip 1.
Etymology
Origin of pilgrimage
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English pilegrimage ( see pilgrim, -age); replacing earlier pelrimage, alteration of Old French pelerinage
Explanation
A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place. People make pilgrimages to places like Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Dharamsala as part of their religious or spiritual practice. A pilgrimage is often a spiritual journey, but some pilgrimages deal with other kinds of devotion. For example, fans often visit the places that are — or were — significant to their heroes. Every August 16th, Elvis Presley fans from around the country make a pilgrimage to his famous former home, Graceland, to commemorate the anniversary of his death.
Vocabulary lists containing pilgrimage
"Beowulf," Vocabulary from the epic poem
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Human Geography - Middle School
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World Religions
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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.
Cheng’s trip had every look of a pilgrimage to the imperial heart of Beijing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
"I wasn't sure that it was going to be open. But when I came over, it was a miracle" said the US-Egyptian businessman, who makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Miami every year.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
The pilgrimage is important for Clark, who says his faith helped him at a point in his life when he felt he had "lost everything".
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
The theme of "pilgrimage" continues into this afternoon's installation service too, with religious rites performed in locations through the cathedral from its western most to eastern most ends.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
It was supposed to be a musical pilgrimage.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
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.
