altar

American  

[awl-ter] / ˈɔl tər /

noun

altars plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• altars
  plural

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”

Explanation

An altar is a raised area in a house of worship where people can honor God with offerings. It is prominent in the Bible as "God's table," a sacred place for sacrifices and gifts offered up to God. The word altar comes from the Latin altārium, meaning "high," and also to the Latin adolere, which means "to ritually burn or sacrifice," which suggests its early purpose as detailed in the Bible. Nowadays, the altar is the place for non-sacrificial religious rites such as communion or weddings, and is a metaphor for offerings. Comedian Stephen Fry once said, “I am a lover of truth, a worshipper of freedom, a celebrant at the altar of language and purity and tolerance.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

altar altars

A former altar boy, he grew up as one of seven children in Nairobi informal settlements, and his parents scraped together enough to send him to school and university, where he studied criminology.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

It even objected to the Vatican's decision to have priests face the congregation when holding Mass, preferring the medieval practice of facing the altar, with their backs to the congregants.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

His first language was Spanish, while my excuse is that I was an altar boy, well-trained by the same priest who celebrated my wedding years later.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

Angelica Lourdes Mero Arcentales of Jaramijo, Ecuador, created an altar dedicated to her husband, Juan Alfredo Arcentales Anchundia, and her son, Bryan Alfredo Arcentales Mero, who were aboard the Fiorella, which went missing in January.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

“I frequently served Mass early Sunday, wearing my full uniform—including belt and dagger—beneath my altar boy robes,” said Alfons Heck.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

The opera opens in the real world, as drably attired villagers assemble marigold- and candle-festooned Day of the Dead altars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Shows like “Top Chef” teach us to genuflect at the altars of celebrity culinarians, viewing their restaurants and signature dishes as luxury experiences as opposed to showing regular folks how to think innovatively about dinner.

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2026

On November 1 and 2, many Mexicans will visit their dead in cemeteries and place offerings at home on colorful altars.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025

Today, diverse beliefs can be found mixed together on altars in homes, with the Virgin Mary sharing space with a ceramic Buddha and a warrior spirit from the Afro-Cuban faith.

From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2024

Behind their altars, the Seven seemed to watch as well.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• shrine