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.
More than 400 foreign nationals are among the 579 tourists missing in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers. — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 The temperature is more than 110 degrees in August but many Iraqi and Iranian pilgrims walk for hundreds of miles to mark the sorrowful event. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 The Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady on August 15 draws thousands of pilgrims who come to visit the church and enjoy the island in the days surrounding the celebration. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026 In 2013, pilgrims attending a Hindu festival at a temple in the central state of Madhya Pradesh panicked amid fears that a bridge would collapse. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pilgrim

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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