sanctuary

American  

[sangk-choo-er-ee] / ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr i /

noun

• sanctuaries
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• sanctuaried
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sanctuaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sanctuary

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

Explanation

The word sanctuary has religious roots, and can refer to a temple or church, but its use has broadened to include anywhere people go for peaceful tranquility or introspection. Your pickup truck might be your sanctuary if that's where you can clear your head. Historically, a sanctuary is the holiest of holy places — a temple or church. Now, it's a word for anywhere a person feels especially safe and serene. People might call their homes their sanctuary, or a beautiful spot in a quiet woods can be described as a sanctuary. It can also be a way to refer to shelter or asylum from political danger, such as: "The forbidding jungle can offer sanctuary to the guerrilla rebels."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sanctuary sanctuaries

Year 10 pupil Ethan, from Budehaven Community School, wants to become a marine biologist and recently completed a work experience placement at a seal sanctuary that was a three-hour round trip by car.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

The area borders the vast Rose Atoll marine sanctuary, where endangered species of Hawksbill turtle thrive on vibrant reefs.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

Greg Larkin, one of the organizers of the Hudson Valley retreat for corporate professionals, said his clients were the type of people who were seeking “a sanctuary from the ‘crush-it summit.’”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

The thing that helped most was finding my own secret garden, a nearby bird sanctuary that crags out over Lake Michigan.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

And then, in a messier scrawl, I write: My ballet school has always been my sanctuary.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Managers at one of the UK's largest bird sanctuaries say they have seen a "significant increase" in the number of younger visitors.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

Dictionary delights, sanctuaries around the globe, the many voices of Harry Potter and more.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025

Altogether, 15 sanctuaries of worship were destroyed, including five in Altadena.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025

Using thermal cameras in ape sanctuaries could prove to be valuable in helping rescued animals to adjust and settle in to a new social group and strange surroundings.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2025

Every Sunday they made their way to their sanctuaries and fervently prayed to the Lord to send them a sign that democracy would come to them.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

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