Voyageur: meaning, definitions and examples

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voyageur

 

[ vwah-yuh-zhur ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

travel, history

A voyageur is a term used to describe a person who travels, especially one who engages in long journeys, particularly through wilderness areas. It is most commonly associated with French-speaking fur traders in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. These individuals played a significant role in the exploration and trade of furs, often navigating rivers and lakes in Canada's vast interior. They were known for their skills in canoeing and for enduring challenging conditions in remote settings.

Synonyms

adventurer, explorer, traveler

Examples of usage

  • The voyageur paddled through the treacherous waters.
  • Many voyageurs were skilled navigators and traders.
  • The story of the voyageur is a significant part of Canadian history.

Translations

Translations of the word "voyageur" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น viajante

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฏเคพเคคเฅเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Reisender

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pelancong

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐะฝะดั€ั–ะฒะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ podrรณลผnik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ—…่กŒ่€…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท voyageur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ viajero

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gezici

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—ฌํ–‰์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุณุงูุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ cestovatel

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ cestovateฤพ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ—…่กŒ่€…

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ popotnik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ ferรฐamaรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐัั…ะฐั‚ัˆั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ’แƒ–แƒแƒ•แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sษ™yahษ™tรงi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ viajero

Etymology

The word 'voyageur' comes from the French verb 'voyager,' which means 'to travel.' Its roots can be traced back to the late 16th century as French explorers and traders ventured into North America. Initially, this term was used more broadly to describe individuals engaging in long-distance travel. However, its usage evolved to specifically refer to the French-Canadian fur traders who played a crucial role in the fur trade economy during the 17th and 18th centuries. These voyageurs often traveled in groups, using birch bark canoes to transport goods and furs across the waterways of North America. Their cultural impact is still recognized today in Canadian heritage and folklore, highlighting their adventurous spirit and the significant role they played in the development of the North American frontier.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,055, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.