pilgrim

noun

pil·​grim ˈpil-grəm How to pronounce pilgrim (audio)
Synonyms of pilgrim
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
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.
Despite the war, the number of Hajj pilgrims was up this year. — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 The Trinetra Ganesh Temple inside the fort draws pilgrims throughout the year. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 June 2026 In Iraq, pilgrims converge on the holy city of Karbala, site of the battle and home to a shrine to Hussein. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 Despite the sweltering heat, the pilgrims gathered on the rocky hill and surrounding plain for intense prayers that often mark a spiritual peak. — Baraa Anwer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pilgrim

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilgrim was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing pilgrim

Browse Nearby Words

pilgarlic
pilgrim
pilgrimage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pilgrim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilgrim. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pilgrim

noun
pil·​grim ˈpil-grəm How to pronounce pilgrim (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pilgrim

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pilgrim

Nglish: Translation of pilgrim for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pilgrim

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