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

Pilgrim : 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

Among them was Redj Cahen, a Tunisian-Italian pilgrim who returned after missing last year’s gathering. —ABC News, 6 May 2026

About 500 pilgrims from France, China, Italy and elsewhere participated in the Lag B’Omer celebration on the island of Djerba, with the traditional Minara procession resuming for the first time since the attack. —Khaled Nasraoui, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

By choosing sustainable options and participating in recycling programs, pilgrims can ensure that their journey of faith also respects the sanctity of the natural world. —Fmg Studios, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

Some pilgrims spent weeks working on plantations. —Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026

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