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

Over the past two days, more than 300 Pakistani nationals have returned to Pakistan from Iran, including students, pilgrims, workers and tourists. —Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026

From understated, plastic chair haunts that lure in the foodie pilgrims to high octane, theatrical affairs that elevate the island’s enviable produce to alchemical heights, here are the best restaurants in Sicily. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026

The Vatican on Monday claimed 33,475,369 pilgrims had participated in the Jubilee, though organizer Archbishop Rino Fisichella acknowledged the number was only a rough estimate and could include double counting. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026

Researchers say the mikveh likely served both local residents and the many pilgrims who visited the Temple in the years leading up to the Roman siege. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 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