pilgrim

noun

pil·​grim ˈpil-grəm 

1

: one who journeys in foreign lands : wayfarer

2

: one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee

3

capitalized : one of the English colonists settling at Plymouth in 1620

Examples of pilgrim in a Sentence

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims traveled to Mecca.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even today, pilgrims take the long upward journey on their knees, seeking blessings from its ornate Rococo shrine, said to offer spiritual healing. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Events start at 7:30 a.m., when Haro’s mayor and members of the San Felices Brotherhood gather and lead pilgrims to the Bilibio Cliffs, on which is perched the Hermitage. —Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 29 June 2025

More Amr Nabil/AP Photo What To Know Saudi officials said 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are taking part in the Mecca pilgrimage, in addition to an unspecified number of local Muslims. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

Iraqi pilgrims make their farewells from Sulaymaniyah as the first hajj convoy is sent off to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia on May 16, 2025. —Juwayriah Wright, Time, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pelerin, pilegrin, from Late Latin pelegrinus, alteration of Latin peregrinus foreigner, from peregrinus, adjective, foreign, from peregri abroad, from per through + agr-, ager land — more at for, acre

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pilgrim

• pilgrim bottle

Kids Definition

pilgrim

noun

pil·​grim ˈpil-grəm 

1

: one who journeys in foreign lands : traveler

2

: a person who travels to a shrine or holy place to worship

3

capitalized : one of the English colonists who founded the first permanent settlement in New England at Plymouth in 1620