Peregrination

Thursday, October 30, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Peregrination?

noun
A long or meandering journey; travels.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /ˌpɛr.ə.ɡrɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
UK pronunciation: /ˌpɛr.ɪ.ɡrɪˈneɪ.ʃən/
Slow pronunciation: peh-reh-gri-NAY-shun

Meaning Explained

Peregrination lends a literary polish to the idea of wandering — not just distance covered, but experience accrued.

Why This Word?

Chosen to honor reflective travel at summer's end in the Northern Hemisphere.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • Her peregrination through museums reshaped the thesis.
  • After months of peregrination, they reached the steppe.
  • The documentary follows a monk's silent peregrination.

Word Origins

Latin peregrinatio “journey abroad,” from peregrinus “traveler, foreigner”

Related to “pilgrim” and “peregrine.”

First appearance in English: 15th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Noun: pilgrimage

    The pilgrimage took forty days.

  • Adjective: itinerant

    An itinerant scholar taught abroad.

  • Noun: odyssey

    Their startup odyssey lasted a decade.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: peregrinación
  • French: pérégrination
  • German: Wanderschaft / Reise
  • Italian: peregrinazione
  • Portuguese: peregrinação

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Odyssey

Suggests epic trials and adventures; “peregrination” is neutral and literary.

Sojourn

A temporary stay; “peregrination” emphasizes the journey.

Peripatetic

Focuses on moving around for work; “peregrination” stresses the travel itself.

Fun Facts

  • The peregrine falcon is named for its wide-ranging flights.
  • Grand Tours were elite peregrinations across Europe in the 17th–19th centuries.

Cultural Usage

  • Medieval scholars undertook scholarly peregrinations between universities.
  • Pilgrimages are spiritual peregrinations toward sacred sites.

Common Mistakes

Not merely a commute; peregrination implies length, variety, or purpose.

Micro Story

Their yearlong peregrination across the archipelago became a book.