altar

American  

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /

noun

1. an elevated place or structure, as a mound or platform at which religious rites are performed or on which sacrifices are offered to gods, ancestors, etc.

2. Ecclesiastical. communion table.

3. Astronomy. Altar, the constellation Ara.

4. (in a dry dock) a ledge for supporting the feet of shorings.

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idioms

1. lead to the altar, to marry.

   After a five-year courtship, he led her to the altar.

altar British  

/ ˈɔːltə /

noun

1. a raised place or structure where sacrifices are offered and religious rites performed

2. (in Christian churches) the communion table

3. a step in the wall of a dry dock upon which structures supporting a vessel can stand

4. informal to marry

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Etymology

Origin of altar

First recorded before 1000; Middle English alter, altar, auter, Old English altar, altare, alter; (compare Middle Dutch outaer, Old Saxon, Old Norse altari, Old High German altāri ), from Latin altāria (the more frequently used plural of altāre used in a singular sense), of disputed origin and formation, but probably akin to Latin adolēre “to make a burnt offering, cremate,” Umbrian uřetu “let it burn, set incense on the fire”

Example Sentences

“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is a horror drama centering on a soon-to-be bride and groom, although the title seems to imply they never make it to the altar.

From Los Angeles Times

For the first time, no couples said “I do” on Netflix’s reality dating show, but it’s the journey to the altar that’s the most compelling part of this series.

From Los Angeles Times

Collette, who has two teenage children and lives in Sydney, discusses the altar she keeps at home, the power of birth order and the mohair sweater that nearly undid her.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its design broke with tradition, placing worshippers around a central altar.

From BBC

Christ Blessing by Quentin Massys, dating from about 1500, used to hang behind the altar in the community's chapel of Campion Hall, the Jesuit home for research and study at the University of Oxford.

From BBC

Related Words

• shrine