pilgrimage

1 of 2

noun

pil·​grim·​age ˈpil-grə-mij 

1

: a journey of a pilgrim

especially : one to a shrine or a sacred place

2

: the course of life on earth

pilgrimage

2 of 2

verb

pilgrimaged; pilgrimaging

intransitive verb

: to go on a pilgrimage

Synonyms of pilgrimage

Verb

• travel
• trek
• journey
• tour
• voyage
• trip

Examples of pilgrimage in a Sentence

Noun

He made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The family went on a pilgrimage to historical battlefields.

The tradition of pilgrimage is important in Islam.

The poet's grave site has become a place of pilgrimage.

Verb

tourists pilgrimaging to all of the traditional destinations across Europe

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Social media was flooded with images and footage of guests making the pilgrimage to MSG. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

According to legend, this is where the Archangel Michael set out on his pilgrimage and the town originates in the cave that houses a shrine dedicated to him. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Verb

There are hiking trails and even pilgrimage routes all over the world. — Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

The childhood homes of other popes have often been turned into museums or pilgrimage sites. — Christine Fernando, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pilgrimage

noun

pil·​grim·​age

ˈpil-grə-mij

: a journey of a pilgrim

pilgrimage verb