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pilgrim meaning and examples

2025-09-09

Meaning

A pilgrim is a person who travels to a sacred place for religious reasons. It can also refer more generally to a traveler or wanderer, especially one on a long or meaningful journey.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Noun (countable).

  • Typical structures:

    • a pilgrim to [place] → "a pilgrim to Mecca"
    • group of pilgrims → "The pilgrims walked together."

  • Historical use: Often refers to religious travelers in history (e.g., the Pilgrims who sailed to America).

Common Phrases

  • Pilgrim Fathers → the early English settlers of America in 1620.
  • make a pilgrimage → to travel for religious or meaningful purposes.
  • pilgrim soul → poetic expression for a restless or searching spirit.

Collocations

  • devout pilgrim
  • pilgrim journey
  • pilgrim route
  • pilgrim site
  • pilgrim tradition

Examples

  1. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine every year.
  2. The Pilgrim Fathers crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower.
  3. Each pilgrim carried only a small bag for the journey.
  4. She made a pilgrimage to her grandmother’s hometown.
  5. Medieval Europe was full of wandering pilgrims.
  6. Pilgrims often travel in groups for safety and companionship.
  7. The city is famous as a destination for Buddhist pilgrims.
  8. He felt like a pilgrim searching for truth.
  9. The government provided shelters along the pilgrim route.
  10. Pilgrims bowed their heads in prayer before entering the temple.
  • traveler
  • devotee
  • worshipper
  • seeker
  • wayfarer

Antonym

  • settler
  • nonbeliever
  • resident