sanctum sanctorum

American  

[sangk-tawr-uhm, -tohr-] / sæŋkˈtɔr əm, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

1. the holy of holies of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. sanctum.

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sanctum sanctorum British  

/ sæŋkˈtɔːrəm /

noun

1. Bible another term for the holy of holies

2. facetious an especially private place

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sanctum sanctorum Cultural  

1. Latin for “holy of holies.” The place in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem) where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. By extension, a sacred and private place.

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Etymology

Origin of sanctum sanctorum

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin sānctum sānctōrum, translation of Hebrew qōdhesh haqqodhāshīm holy of holies

Example Sentences

At one point Neriya and her companions are ushered into the sanctum sanctorum of a corvid roost, where thousands if not millions of crows coexist in sophisticated collaboration.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The current controversy centres around two idols of Dwarapalakas - or the door guards that stand just outside the sanctum sanctorum where the main deity sits.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025

It's on the second floor of the clubhouse--truly a sanctum sanctorum.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 9, 2020

Mr. Apatow, 51, was walking into the Argosy Book Store in Midtown Manhattan, the sanctum sanctorum for autograph hounds, gulping down a brownie and an alkalized water.

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2019

She approaches the double doors and pushes her way into the sanctum sanctorum.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides