sanctuary

[sangk-choo-er-ee]

noun

plural

sanctuaries 

1. a sacred or holy place.

   Synonyms: adytum, sanctum, shrine, altar, temple, church

2. Judaism.

   1. the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem.

   2. the holy of holies of these places of worship.

3. an especially holy place in a temple or church.

4. the part of a church around the altar; the chancel.

5. a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest.

6. immunity afforded by refuge in such a place.

7. any place of refuge; asylum.

8. a tract of land where birds and wildlife, especially those hunted for sport, can breed and take refuge in safety from hunters.

   Synonyms: preserve

sanctuary

/ ˈsæŋktjʊərɪ /

noun

1. a holy place

2. a consecrated building or shrine

3. Old Testament

   1. the Israelite temple at Jerusalem, esp the holy of holies

   2. the tabernacle in which the Ark was enshrined during the wanderings of the Israelites

4. the chancel, or that part of a sacred building surrounding the main altar

5. 1. a sacred building where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest or execution

   2. the immunity so afforded

6. a place of refuge; asylum

7. a place, protected by law, where animals, esp birds, can live and breed without interference

Other Word Forms

• sanctuaried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctuary¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Late Latin sānctuārium, from sānctu- (combining form of sanctus; Sanctus ) + -ārium -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctuary¹

C14: from Old French sainctuarie, from Late Latin sanctuārium repository for holy things, from Latin sanctus holy

Example Sentences

One core will be sent to Japan for analysis and another stored in an underground sanctuary in Antarctica at minus 50C.

Read more on Barron's

The researchers are currently developing its use in sanctuaries for great apes, including chimpanzees and gorillas.

Read more on BBC

Zion Church was raided in 2018 and its sanctuary in Beijing was shuttered.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation wants to see the whales sent to a sanctuary in Nova Scotia run by The Whale Sanctuary Project.

Read more on BBC

After receiving surgery, he stayed with the Horse Trust at its sanctuary in Buckinghamshire.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• asylum 
• church 
• harbor 
• haven 
• hideout 
• oasis 
• protection 
• refuge 
• resort 
• retreat 
• shelter