journey

noun

jour·​ney ˈjər-nē 

plural journeys

1

: something suggesting travel or passage from one place to another

the journey from youth to maturity

a journey through time

2

: an act or instance of traveling from one place to another : trip

a three-day journey

going on a long journey

3

chiefly dialectal : a day's travel

Did you know?

The Latin adjective diurnus means “pertaining to a day, daily”; English diurnal stems ultimately from this word. When Latin developed into French, diurnus became a noun, jour, meaning simply “day” The medieval French derivative journee meant either “day” or “something done during the day,” such as work or travel. Middle English borrowed journee as journey in both senses, but only the sense “a day’s travel” survived into modern usage. In modern English, journey now refers to a trip without regard to the amount of time it takes. The verb journey developed from the noun and is first attested in the 14th century.

Synonyms of journey

• trip
• expedition
• trek

Examples of journey in a Sentence

a long journey across the country

She's on the last leg of a six-month journey through Europe.

We wished her a safe and pleasant journey.

Recent Examples on the Web

The reception welcomed participants in the Route 66 Centennial Caravan, a once-in-a-lifetime journey traversing all eight states connected by the Mother Road while highlighting preservation successes and future challenges facing the historic corridor. —Daily News, 9 June 2026

Based on the bestselling novel by Bart Baker, Honeymoon with Harry follows a rough-around-the-edges man (Gyllenhaal) who ends up sharing an unwanted journey with his fiancée’s prickly, overprotective father (Costner) after a life-altering turn upends their plans. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 June 2026

On Tuesday, June 2, the former Spice Girl, 51, attended SXSW London and led an intimate Zumba class followed by a panel to discuss her personal wellness journey and what she's learned over the years. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

While most maps guide you on a journey, Veazey's maps guide you through a story. —Emily McLeod, CBS News, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French jurnee day, day's journey, from jur day, from Late Latin diurnum, from Latin, neuter of diurnus of the day — more at journal entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for journey

• burnie
• gurney
• tourney
• attorney
• mcburney

Kids Definition

journey

1 of 2 noun

jour·​ney ˈjər-nē 

plural journeys

: travel from one place to another

journey

2 of 2 verb

journeyed; journeying

: to go on a journey

journeyer noun

Etymology

Middle English journey "a trip, travel," from early French journee "day's work, day's journey," from jour "day," derived from Latin diurnus "of a day, daily," from dies "day" — related to diary, journal

Word Origin

The Latin word dies means "day," and diurnus means "of a day." From the word diurnus came the early French jour, meaning "day," and journee, meaning "a day's work, a day's travel." Journee was borrowed into Middle English with both of its meanings, but only the second one, "a day's travel," came into widespread use. The modern form journey now refers to travel without regard to the amount of time taken. The English word journal can also be traced back to the Latin dies. From the adjective diurnus, the word diurnalis, meaning "daily," was formed. This was taken into French as journal. In this form it was borrowed into Middle English. It was at first also used to mean "daily," but it is now found only as a noun in English.