# pilgrim

/ˈpɪɫɡɹəm/ (US) · /pˈɪlɡɹɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pilgrim
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. religious traveler

noun · CEFR B2

a person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons.

For teachers: a person who journeys to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion.

- Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the city to pray at the temple.
- The medieval cathedral was a major destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual healing and penance after their long journey across the continent.

### 2. the Plymouth settlers

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

one of the English people who traveled to America on the Mayflower in 1620.

For teachers: one of the English settlers who established the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620.

- Children in American schools often learn about the first Thanksgiving held by the Pilgrims.
- Historical accounts of the Pilgrims often emphasize their search for religious freedom and the harsh conditions they faced during their first winter in New England.

### 3. devoted visitor

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

someone who travels to a place they respect very much, even if it is not religious.

For teachers: a person who travels to a place of great personal or cultural importance as a mark of respect.

- Music fans are like pilgrims when they visit the house where the famous singer lived.
- For many literature students, a trip to the writer's remote cottage is a necessary journey for any true pilgrim of his work.

### 4. to travel as a pilgrim

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to travel to a holy or special place.

For teachers: to perform a pilgrimage or to wander to a significant destination.

- The old man decided to pilgrim across the mountains to see the shrine one last time.
- In the epic poem, the protagonist must pilgrim through desolate lands to reach the ancient oracle.

## Examples

- The pilgrim walked for many days to reach the temple.
- Every year, thousands of pilgrims travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj as part of their faith.
- The site has become a destination for literary pilgrims who wish to see the desk where the author composed her most famous novels.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.