sanctuary

American  

[sangk-choo-er-ee] / ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr i /

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

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sanctuary British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• sanctuaried adjective

Etymology

Origin of sanctuary

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

Example Sentences

And Harry Brook's men now leave Sri Lanka - a country that has provided a sanctuary for over the past weeks and returned six T20 wins from six - for India and the semi-finals.

From BBC

"The Church must be a sanctuary for the displaced, not a platform for their expulsion."

From BBC

They added that "it would make sense if he was thinking of a potential sanctuary where he could still live like a king".

From BBC

Elisha called this private upper floor “a sort of sanctuary; a retreat to which we are driven by mischief-making eyes and tongues. There, like wounded deer we escape the hunters.”

From Literature

Then I went to work on a book project that demanded intense concentration—even more than I could muster in the sanctuary of my home office.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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