pilgrimage

1 of 2

noun

pil·​grim·​age ˈpil-grə-mij How to pronounce pilgrimage (audio)
1
: a journey of a pilgrim
especially : one to a shrine or a sacred place
2
: the course of life on earth

pilgrimage

2 of 2

verb

pilgrimaged; pilgrimaging

intransitive verb

: to go on a pilgrimage

Examples of pilgrimage in a Sentence

Noun He made a pilgrimage to Mecca. The family went on a pilgrimage to historical battlefields. The tradition of pilgrimage is important in Islam. The poet's grave site has become a place of pilgrimage. Verb tourists pilgrimaging to all of the traditional destinations across Europe
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.
Noun
Roughly 80 miles from Mérida lies the charming village of Guadalupe, known for its magnificent Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. Carlsen Jes, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025 On average, more than two million Muslims a year take part in the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
Verb
Reynolds is hoping the selection of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as the first American pope — Pope Leo XIV — might boost the city as a travel and pilgrimage destination. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 In fact, her pilgrimage back to Mexico after completing her studies wasn’t merely a homecoming, but a calling to immerse herself in indigenous communities. Pooja Shah, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pilgrimage

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilgrimage was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pilgrimage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrimage. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pilgrimage

noun
pil·​grim·​age
ˈpil-grə-mij
: a journey of a pilgrim
pilgrimage verb

More from Merriam-Webster on pilgrimage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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