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.

“This past Friday, our beloved Jennifer passed away. It was a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family,” the statement read, according to ABC7.

From Los Angeles Times

While motoring organisations say that there are plenty of supplies, they are encouraging people to reduce non-essential journeys.

From BBC

Friday’s panel was a useful if somewhat repetitive journey through the current dilemmas in college sports, and it may surprise you to know that paying athletes isn’t one of them.

From The Wall Street Journal

That to me felt like part of his journey right from the top in terms of that Rooster character and what that signifies to him.

From Los Angeles Times

He spent a lifetime preparing himself for this moment, and during the journey he momentarily showed what he was capable of but without being able to get the kind of success he so clearly deserved.

From BBC

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.