trek

Trek is a term with several related meanings. In general English usage, a trek is a long, arduous journey on foot or by animal across difficult terrain, often lasting several days or weeks. The word derives from the Afrikaans trek, meaning pull or drag, and in English it came to denote a long journey or expedition into the wilderness, particularly across remote or rugged country.

Trek also refers to Star Trek, a major American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. It began with the 1966 television series The Original Series and expanded into feature films, additional television series, novels, and video games. The franchise centers on space exploration and encounters with alien civilizations, often addressing ethical and social issues through a speculative future setting. Notable television series include The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, with newer entries such as Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds continuing the franchise's exploration of science, culture, and humanity.

In commerce, Trek is the name of a prominent bicycle brand, Trek Bicycle Corporation, founded in 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Trek produces road, mountain, and hybrid bicycles and related equipment, and has become one of the best-known brands in cycling. The word also appears in various other contexts, including as a surname and in place names.