trek
trehk
Trek (noun) means a long, often difficult journey, especially on foot. Example: “The trek to the village took us most of the day.”
noun
1
A long, often difficult journey, especially on foot.
"The trek to the village took us most of the day."
"After a tiring trek over the hills, we were glad to sit down."
"We're planning a trek up Kilimanjaro."
"They set out on a three-day trek through the Himalayas."
"Young Indians looking for work opportunities have made up a sizeable portion of undocumented migrants in the US, many after making the dangerous trek through Latin America to reach the US southern border."
— Esha Mitra, ‘Treated like criminals’: Shackling of Indians aboard 40-hour migrant flight sparks new outrage against Trump (2025)
verb
1
To make a long or arduous journey, typically on foot.
"Every summer they trek across the moors with heavy backpacks."
"The children had to trek miles through the mud to reach school."
"We trekked for hours before reaching the campsite."
How to use trek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trek is a long, tough journey, usually on foot; to trek is to make one.
Common pairings
trek through the mountains
a long trek
go trekking
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Word forms
- Plural
- treks
- Third person singular
- treks
- Past tense
- trekked
Fill the gap
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The _____ to the village took us most of the day.
Etymology
From Afrikaans trek, from Dutch trekken, "to pull or migrate" — originally describing the long ox-wagon migrations of Boer settlers in South Africa.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for trek
See all rhymes for trek →Frequently asked questions
What does “trek” mean?
The word “trek” means a long, often difficult journey, especially on foot. In plain terms, a trek is a long, tough journey, usually on foot; to trek is to make one.
How do you pronounce “trek”?
“Trek” is pronounced trehk (/tɹɛk/ in IPA).
How do you use “trek” in a sentence?
Here is “trek” used in a sentence: “They set out on a three-day trek through the Himalayas.”
What part of speech is “trek”?
Depending on how it is used, “trek” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trek” come from?
The word “trek” comes from Dutch. From Afrikaans trek, from Dutch trekken, "to pull or migrate" — originally describing the long ox-wagon migrations of Boer settlers in South Africa.
Is “trek” a common word?
“Trek” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “trek” have?
“Trek” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, often difficult journey, especially on foot.
What is the difference between a 'trek' and a 'hike'?
A hike is a fairly long walk taken for pleasure or exercise, usually completed in a day. A trek is longer, harder, and often lasts several days, suggesting a demanding journey over rough or remote terrain. Every trek involves walking, but a trek is more arduous than a typical hike.
What is the difference between a 'trek' and a 'journey'?
A journey is any act of travelling from one place to another, by any means. A trek specifically implies a long and difficult journey, most often made on foot. Calling travel a 'trek' stresses the effort and hardship involved.
When should you use 'trek' instead of 'walk'?
Use 'trek' rather than 'walk' when the journey is long, tiring, and often over difficult ground, as in trekking through mountains. 'Walk' suits ordinary, everyday distances. 'Trek' can also be used humorously for any journey that feels longer than it should.
Is 'trek' formal or informal?
'Trek' is neutral and works in both formal and informal English, from travel writing to casual conversation. It often carries a sense of adventure or effort. Informally, people use it to complain about a tediously long trip, as in 'it's quite a trek to the station.'
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