Journey Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms journey American [jur-nee] / ˈdʒɜr ni /

noun

plural

journeys

1. a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip.

   a six-day journey across the desert.

   Synonyms: tour, jaunt, excursion

2. a distance, course, or area traveled or suitable for traveling.

   a desert journey.

3. a period of travel.

   a week's journey.

4. passage or progress from one stage to another.

   the journey to success.

verb (used without object)

journeyed, journeying

1. to make a journey; travel.

   Synonyms: peregrinate, rove, roam

journey British / ˈdʒɜːnɪ /

noun

1. a travelling from one place to another; trip or voyage

2. 1. the distance travelled in a journey

   2. the time taken to make a journey

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. (intr) to make a journey

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does journey mean? A journey is a trip, especially one to a faraway place that takes place over a long period of time.The word trip can refer to any instance of traveling from one place to another, no matter how long or short it is. The word journey, though, typically implies a long trip—one that’s at least several hours, and perhaps several months or even years. It also often implies adventure—a journey might even be a quest. A journey may or may not have a planned destination other than whatever lies ahead.The word is also commonly used in a figurative way to liken any lengthy process or progress to such a trip, as in Life is a journey, with many interesting detours. Journey can also be used as a verb meaning to make a long trip, as in We must journey to the land beyond the mountains.Example: My favorite books are about people who make epic journeys around the world.

Related Words

See trip 1.

Other Word Forms

• journeyer noun
• outjourney verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of journey

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English journee “day,” from Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin diurnāta “a day's time, day's work, etc.,” equivalent to Latin diurn(us) “daily” + -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate 1; -ade 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The advice for drivers is familiar: prepare for delays, allow extra time for journeys and adjust your speed to the prevailing weather conditions.

From BBC

And it was a journey to get there.

From BBC

I don't want to forget those people who have been important in my journey as well.

From BBC

It was technically true, but is like saying your train to Glasgow got you there in record time… but the journey time was identical, you just booked an earlier train.

From BBC

Filled with humor and clever puzzles, the series enraptures the audience with a journey that is both entertaining and life-affirming in its unshakeable humanity.

From Salon

Related Words

• adventure
• campaign
• crossing
• drive
• expedition
• exploration
• hike
• itinerary
• jaunt
• migration
• odyssey
• outing
• passage
• pilgrimage
• progress
• quest
• route
• sojourn
• tour
• travel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.