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Definition of journey
(Entry 1 of 2)
Definition of journey (Entry 2 of 2)
intransitive verb
transitive verb
Did you know?
The Latin adjective diurnus means “pertaining to a day, daily”; English diurnal stems ultimately from this word. When Latin developed into French, diurnus became a noun, jour, meaning simply “day” The medieval French derivative journee meant either “day” or “something done during the day,” such as work or travel. Middle English borrowed journee as journey in both senses, but only the sense “a day’s travel” survived into modern usage. In modern English, journey now refers to a trip without regard to the amount of time it takes. The verb journey developed from the noun and is first attested in the 14th century.
- peregrination
- peregrinate
Examples of journey in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'journey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French jurnee day, day's journey, from jur day, from Late Latin diurnum , from Latin, neuter of diurnus — see journal entry 1
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Articles Related to journey
8 Ways to Get Away From It All
Whether it's a jaunt or a junket, remember sunblock.
Dictionary Entries Near journey
journal voucher
journey-bated
Cite this Entry
“Journey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/journey. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of journey.
Kids Definition of journey (Entry 2 of 2)
Middle English journey "a trip, travel," from early French journee "day's work, day's journey," from jour "day," derived from Latin diurnus "of a day, daily," from dies "day" — related to diary , journal
More from Merriam-Webster on journey
Nglish: Translation of journey for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of journey for Arabic Speakers
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[ jur -nee ]
a six-day journey across the desert.
Synonyms: tour , jaunt , excursion
a desert journey.
a week's journey.
the journey to success.
verb (used without object)
Synonyms: peregrinate , rove , roam
/ ˈdʒɜːnɪ /
- a travelling from one place to another; trip or voyage
- the distance travelled in a journey
- the time taken to make a journey
- intr to make a journey
Discover More
Derived forms.
- ˈjourneyer , noun
Other Words From
- journey·er noun
- outjourney verb (used with object) outjourneyed outjourneying
Word History and Origins
Origin of journey 1
Synonym Study
Example sentences.
If either is selected, it would not launch until 2026 at the earliest, and would take at least a few months to make the journey.
The job is a cherry on top, but the journey and the experience of being able to audition and leave your heart in the room and feel good about it, no matter what happens, that’s rare and that was amazing.
Cross-device measurement helps connect the dots of your customer’s journey and ensures you know how effective your campaigns are at driving user behavior.
You are somewhat of a new grandmother and you’ve been enjoying that journey.
Instead of having numerous articles addressing each of these particular questions, brands and publishers could consolidate this information as it is all pertinent to the same stage of the journey that the user is in.
The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.
The next day, after driving to Putney on the outskirts of London, we start the end of our journey.
The NYPD Emerald Society pipes and drums struck up a slow march and the procession began the journey to the cemetery.
We began a journey with Koenig in the first episode of Serial.
But the sunlight is threatening to fade and a three-and-a-half-hour river journey back to Kisangani looms.
With a hammer the boy knocked off some of the slats of the small box in which Squinty had made his journey.
Then summoning a smart young jemadar with whom he had talked a good deal during the journey, he asked him to read the chit.
But dismissing them from our thoughts for the time being, as we did then from our presence, let us continue our journey.
If the journey is now distasteful to her, she has but her own rashness to blame in having sought it herself.
It was past sundown when they left San Bernardino, but a full moon made the night as good as day for their journey.
Related Words
- exploration
What Is The Plural Of Journey?
Plural word for journey.
The plural form of journey is journeys (not journies ). Words that end with a – y preceded by a vowel ( a, e, i, o, u ) are made plural by adding an -s at the end, as in chimney / chimneys and monkey / monkeys .
This can be confusing, because the plural form of words that end with a – y and are preceded by a consonant is made by changing the ending to -ies , as in party / parties , candy / candies , and duty / duties .
More About Journey
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.
Where does journey come from?
The first records of the word journey come from around the 1200s. It comes from the Middle English word journee , meaning “day,” ultimately from unattested Vulgar Latin diurnāta , meaning “a day’s time” or “a day’s work.” In English, the meaning of the word journey originally meant something like “a day’s travel,” but eventually came to mean “a long trip.”
A journey can last a day but the word usually refers to longer trips. The word is sometimes preceded with the mode of transportation that’s used, as in The city is reachable only by a long train journey. Discussion of journeys often involves their destination or purpose. When people say, “It’s the journey , not the destination,” they mean that the significance and value of a journey is what happens along the way, from moment to moment, as opposed to the achievement of its ultimate goal.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to journey ?
- journeyer (noun)
- outjourney (verb)
What are some synonyms for journey ?
What are some words that share a root or word element with journey ?
What are some words that often get used in discussing journey ?
- destination
How is journey used in real life?
Journey is very commonly used in a figurative way.
I ask you to accompany me on my journey to Chile and Peru in your prayers. — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 15, 2018
Life is indeed a journey. Successful is he who can navigate the ups and downs without losing his balance. Don’t dwell on your past, don’t wallow in self-pity, don’t repeat your mistakes, don’t focus on negativity, help others along the way, spread kindness wherever you go! — Mufti Menk (@muftimenk) August 17, 2020
Some people around us will not understand our journey. They don’t need to; it’s not for them — Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho) May 4, 2019
Try using journey !
Which of the following words is a synonym of journey ?
A. voyage B. trip C. trek D. all of the above
Definition of 'journey'
Video: pronunciation of journey
journey in American English
Journey in british english, examples of 'journey' in a sentence journey, related word partners journey, trends of journey.
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Browse alphabetically journey
- journalistic objectivity
- journalling
- journey alone
- journey north
- journey of self-discovery
- All ENGLISH words that begin with 'J'
Related terms of journey
- bus journey
- car journey
- sea journey
- bumpy journey
- coach journey
- View more related words
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Definition of journeyman noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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Meaning of journey in Essential English Dictionary
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(Definition of journey from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Translations of journey
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IMAGES
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COMMENTS
Synonyms trip trip journey tour expedition excursion outing day out These are all words for an act of travelling to a place. trip an act of travelling from one place to another, and usually back again:. a business trip; a five-minute trip by taxi; journey an act of travelling from one place to another, especially when they are a long way apart:. a long and difficult journey across the mountains
There are 24 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun journey, 13 of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. journey has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. medieval history (Middle English) military (Middle English) coins and banknotes (late 1500s) astronomy (early ...
3 (figurative) The book describes a spiritual journey from despair to happiness. Thesaurus trip. journey; tour; commute; expedition; excursion; outing; These are all words for an act of traveling to a place. trip an act of traveling from one place to another, and usually back again: a business trip a five-minute trip by taxi; journey an act of traveling from one place to another, especially ...
There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb journey, five of which are labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. journey has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. law (Middle English) horses and riding (late 1500s)
JOURNEY definition: 1. the act of travelling from one place to another, especially in a vehicle: 2. a set of…. Learn more.
Definition of journey verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... Definition of journey verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's ... from Old French jornee 'day, a day's travel, a day's work' (the earliest senses in English), based on Latin ...
The earliest known use of the phrase Sabbath day's journey is in the early 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for Sabbath day's journey is from 1526, in the New Testament. Sabbath day's journey is formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: Sabbath day n., journey n.
JOURNEY meaning: 1. the act of travelling from one place to another, especially in a vehicle: 2. a set of…. Learn more.
journey: [noun] something suggesting travel or passage from one place to another.
Journey definition: a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip. See examples of JOURNEY used in a sentence.
3 meanings: 1. a travelling from one place to another; trip or voyage 2. a. the distance travelled in a journey b. the time.... Click for more definitions.
journey: 1 n the act of traveling from one place to another Synonyms: journeying Types: show 43 types... hide 43 types... commute a regular journey of some distance to and from your place of work drive , ride a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile) long haul a journey over a long distance mush a journey by dogsled odyssey a long ...
JOURNEY definition: If you go on a journey, you travel from one place to another: . Learn more.
Where does the adjective journeyed come from? Earliest known use. mid 1500s. The earliest known use of the adjective journeyed is in the mid 1500s. OED's only evidence for journeyed is from 1553, in the writing of Thomas Wilson, humanist and administrator. journeyed is formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: journey v.
Definition of journey verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. ... Word Origin Middle English: from Old French jornee 'day, a day's travel, a day's work' (the earliest senses in English), based on ... Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for ...
The largest and most trusted free online dictionary for learners of British and American English with definitions, pictures, example sentences, synonyms, antonyms, word origins, audio pronunciation, and more. Look up the meanings of words, abbreviations, phrases, and idioms in our free English Dictionary.
1. a travelling from one place to another; trip or voyage. 2. a. the distance travelled in a journey. b. the time taken to make a journey. verb. 3. (intransitive)
Definition of journey verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
The historical English dictionary. An unsurpassed guide for researchers in any discipline to the meaning, history, and usage of over 500,000 words and phrases across the English-speaking world.
JOURNEY meaning: If you go on a journey, you travel from one place to another: . Learn more.
Definition of journeyman noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary app. ... Word Origin late Middle English: from journey (in the obsolete sense 'day's work') ...
JOURNEY definition: a trip from one place to another: . Learn more.