trek

1 of 2

verb

trekked; trekking

intransitive verb

1
: to make one's way arduously
broadly : journey
2
chiefly South Africa
a
: to travel by ox wagon
b
: to migrate by ox wagon or in a train of such
trekker noun

trek

2 of 2

noun

1
: a trip or movement especially when involving difficulties or complex organization : an arduous journey
2
chiefly South Africa : a journey by ox wagon
especially : an organized migration by a group of settlers

Examples of trek in a Sentence

Verb We had to trek up six flights of stairs with our groceries. On their vacation last year they went trekking in the Himalayas. We trekked across the country in her old car. Noun Our car broke down and we had a long trek back to town. a trek across the country
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Despite its short length the canyon trail is rugged, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes and consider bringing a trekking pole. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 Many families around the country have supplemented their living by offering camel trekking to foreigners, and selling the soft-underside wool for pillowy socks, gloves, hats, and blankets. Matt Dutile, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025
Noun
Almost two decades of dining and partying at this quaint beach resort hotel have evolved into a place where New Yorkers trek to find an escape from cityscape canyons. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 The zoo field team discovered the marmot upon their return to the zoo, and the organization's animal care, veterinary medicine, and field conservation teams quickly conducted a health check to ensure the wild animal had not been injured during his accidental three-hour trek. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for trek

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Afrikaans, from Dutch trecken to pull, haul, migrate; akin to Old High German trechan to pull

Noun

Afrikaans, from Dutch treck pull, haul, from trecken

First Known Use

Verb

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trek was in 1835

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trek. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

trek

1 of 2 verb
trekked; trekking
1
chiefly South African : to travel or migrate by ox wagon or in a train of such wagons
2
: to make one's way slowly and painfully
trekker noun

trek

2 of 2 noun
1
chiefly South African : an organized journey or migration of a group of settlers traveling by ox wagon
2
: a slow or difficult journey
Etymology

Verb

from Afrikaans trek, "to travel by ox wagon," from Dutch trecken "to haul, pull"

More from Merriam-Webster on trek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!