What does pilgrim mean?
A pilgrim is a person who travels to a place regarded as sacred or especially important, usually for religious reasons. The term is associated with journeys to shrines, holy sites, and destinations of major spiritual significance, such as Jerusalem, Mecca, or Santiago de Compostela. In modern figurative use, a pilgrim may be someone undertaking a demanding journey for personal, moral, or artistic reasons. The word often suggests purpose, endurance, and devotion rather than ordinary sightseeing. Pilgrimages have historically involved difficult travel, sometimes undertaken over many months or years, and have shaped routes, settlements, and traditions of hospitality. “Pilgrim” remains a familiar word in religious writing, travel history, and cultural discussions, while its broader use can describe anyone committed to a meaningful quest. Its vocabulary is shared with English words such as “peregrine” and “peregrination,” which reflect the same Latin idea of travel or living abroad.
nounA person who travels to a sacred or otherwise significant place, especially on a religious pilgrimage. By extension, it can refer to someone undertaking a journey of spiritual or personal significance.
- A person who travels to a sacred place or shrine, especially for religious reasons.
- A person who makes a journey undertaken for spiritual, moral, or personal significance.
"The medieval pilgrims followed the route to Jerusalem, stopping at shrines along the way."
"Thousands of pilgrims visited the shrine during the annual festival."
"For the young artist, the long journey north became a pilgrimage of self-discovery."
The standard plural adds -s to the noun.
"The pilgrims carried their belongings along the narrow mountain path."
Pilgrim comes from Latin peregrinus, meaning “foreigner,” a reminder that a sacred journey often crosses borders.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pilgrim come from?
The word comes through Old French pelegrin from Latin peregrinus, meaning “foreign” or “foreigner.” Its earlier Christian sense referred to a traveler who went on a religious journey, especially to a holy place. The related English words “peregrine,” “peregrinate,” and “peregrination” preserve the same Latin root, which developed from the idea of being abroad or traveling through foreign lands.
Related word forms
How pilgrim is actually used
The word is common in religious and historical contexts and has a formal, often reverent tone. By extension, “pilgrim” can carry a sense of moral commitment or a difficult journey toward an important goal.