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

That's in part because the mountain is dangerously rugged and a natural barrier, and in part to allow pilgrims from both countries to access the site built in the 1930s. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 May 2026

While the Pompeii archaeological site draws millions of tourists each year, the sanctuary attracts Catholic pilgrims who are particularly devoted to praying the rosary. —ABC News, 8 May 2026

The island itself has a rich history, starting a millennium ago with a monastery and a resting place for pilgrims. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 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

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