pilgrimage
PIL-gri-mij
/ˈpɪl.ɡrɪ.mɪdʒ/
A journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion, or a journey to a place of special significance.
While traditionally religious, it can also describe a secular journey of deep personal significance, such as visiting a childhood home or a historic monument.
The story behind the word. The word pilgrimage traces back to the Latin word peregrinus, which meant a foreigner or traveler. This was formed from per (through) and ager (field or land), literally describing someone who travels through foreign lands. Over the centuries, the term evolved from simply meaning a traveler to specifically describing someone traveling to a holy site.
Word relationships
- journey: A general term for traveling from one place to another, lacking the sacred or deeply purposeful intent of a pilgrimage.
- expedition: An organized journey for a specific practical purpose, such as exploration or research, rather than devotion.
- wandering: Aimless traveling without a specific destination or sacred purpose.
Commonly confused with
- excursion: An excursion is a short, casual pleasure trip, whereas a pilgrimage is a long, purposeful, and often difficult journey.
Word family
- pilgrim (noun): A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
Collocations
- make a pilgrimage
- annual pilgrimage
- spiritual pilgrimage
- shrine of pilgrimage
Example sentences
- "Every year, thousands of faithful travelers undertake a grueling pilgrimage to the ancient cathedral." A historical account of medieval travelers visiting sacred sites.
- "For many music lovers, a trip to Memphis is a pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll." A secular use describing a journey to a place of cultural importance.
Memory hook
Imagine a pilgrim walking through a grim landscape on a long journey; the pilgrim's grim age-old journey is a pilgrimage. A pilgrim's long journey.
When not to use
Do not use for a casual trip, vacation, or commute where there is no deeper emotional or spiritual purpose.
Fun facts
- The famous Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is entirely structured around a group of travelers sharing stories while on a pilgrimage.
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