noun
hajj
haj
Hajj (noun) means the pilgrimage to Mecca that observant Muslims are expected to make at least once, one of the five pillars of Islam. Example: “Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to complete the hajj.”
noun
1
The pilgrimage to Mecca that observant Muslims are expected to make at least once, one of the five pillars of Islam.
"Global heating has “fundamentally altered” the climate of Mecca and is exposing millions of hajj pilgrims to extreme and dangerous heat even in months outside summer, new analysis has found."
— Damian Carrington, Global heating is making hajj ever more dangerous, report finds (2026)
"Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to complete the hajj."
"The restored cottage, which has been open to tourists since 1891 (Woodrow Wilson came here on a cycling tour in 1899), is the Kaabah of a Lake District haj, a must-see for all pilgrims."
— Jamie James, Wordsworth Slept Here (2000)
"“He passed away due to diabetes while in prison,” the residential committee member said. “He was serving time in Tumshuq Prison for performing the hajj pilgrimage.”"
— Shohret Hoshur, Uyghur motorcycle repairman’s corpse released by prison in Kashgar prefecture (2023)
How to use hajj
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe religious pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims aim to make once in their lifetime.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
perform the hajj
go on hajj
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Word forms
- Plural
- hajjes
Fill the gap
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Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to complete the _____.
Etymology
From Arabic hajj, meaning "pilgrimage," from a verb meaning "to set out" or "to journey toward."
Synonyms
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haj
hadj
Frequently asked questions
What does “hajj” mean?
The word “hajj” means the pilgrimage to Mecca that observant Muslims are expected to make at least once, one of the five pillars of Islam. In plain terms, the religious pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims aim to make once in their lifetime.
How do you pronounce “hajj”?
“Hajj” is pronounced haj (/hæd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hajj” in a sentence?
Here is “hajj” used in a sentence: “Millions of Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia each year to complete the hajj.”
What part of speech is “hajj”?
“Hajj” is a noun.
Where does the word “hajj” come from?
The word “hajj” comes from Arabic. From Arabic hajj, meaning "pilgrimage," from a verb meaning "to set out" or "to journey toward.".
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