Holy City

American  

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. a city regarded as particularly sacred by the adherents of a religious faith, as Jerusalem by Jews and Christians, Mecca and Medina by Muslims, and Varanasi by Hindus.

2. heaven.

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Holy City British  

noun

1. Jerusalem, esp when regarded as the focal point of the religions of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam

2. Christianity heaven regarded as the perfect counterpart of Jerusalem

3. any city regarded as especially sacred by a particular religion

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Etymology

Origin of Holy City

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Following her 1987 first time onstage at Fubar’s Comedy Club, she opted for a class at the Holy City Zoo.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2024

Eight years later, the region around Charleston, known as the Holy City, is home to the two Republicans’ presidential campaigns.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023

At noon on 11 December 1917, British commander General Allenby marched in to Jerusalem after overthrowing the Ottoman Empire and becoming the first Christian to control the Holy City in 730 years.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2017

Secretary General António Guterres and Pope Francis both expressed alarm that the announcement would provoke new tensions in the Holy City, which is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2017

She is used to my calling her from airports anywhere from Boston to San Francisco, or Miami to Seattle, or, here lately, cabling her from Cairo, Accra, or the Holy City of Mecca.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey