trek

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrek How to pronounce trek (audio)
trekked; trekking
Synonyms of trek

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

Synonyms of trek

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Many an alum fondly remembers trekking the 950-foot walkway to go for a swim on a hot, sticky July day. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Introducing Nordic walking; not to be confused with hiking with trekking poles. — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
For a challenge, trek to Lake Solitude or tackle the Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Those are just two of the many fun facts the sardonic rock star shared in his chat with Dimoldenberg, which also spanned Oasis’ massive stadium tour in 2025 and the band’s plans to embark on another trek next year. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for trek

See All Rhymes for trek

Browse Nearby Words

Treitz's muscle
trek
trekboer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trek. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

trek

1 of 2 verb
ˈtrek How to pronounce trek (audio)
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"

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