sanctuary

[ sangk-choo-er-ee ]

/ ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr i /

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See synonyms for sanctuary on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural sanc·tu·ar·ies.

a sacred or holy place.

Judaism.

the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem.
the holy of holies of these places of worship.

an especially holy place in a temple or church.

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

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

immunity afforded by refuge in such a place.

any place of refuge; asylum.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR sanctuary

1 church, temple, altar, shrine, sanctum, adytum.

8 preserve.

See synonyms for sanctuary on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sanctuary

1300–50; Middle English <Late Latin sānctuārium, equivalent to sānctu- (replacing Latin sānct-), combining form of sanctus (see Sanctus) + -ārium-ary

OTHER WORDS FROM sanctuary

sanc·tu·ar·ied, adjective

Words nearby sanctuary

sanction, sanctioned, sanction mark, sanctitude, sanctity, sanctuary, sanctuary city, sanctuary lamp, sanctum, sanctum sanctorum, Sanctus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sanctuary in a sentence

These are basically “smart” tunnels that connect the outside environment with the interior sanctuary of the cells.
Scientists Made a Biohybrid Nose Using Cells From Mosquitoes|Shelly Fan|January 26, 2021|Singularity Hub
Whitney said the organization should be a legitimate sanctuary and not involved in breeding, buying or selling wildlife.
A virtual menagerie: How conservation and rescue efforts can connect us with wildlife around the world|Andrea Sachs|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
Sponsoring an animal is fun and fulfilling for kids and adults alike, and you can adopt an elephant through the Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia, a sanctuary for the formerly captive giants.
36 Awesome Gifts for Adventure Travelers|Mary Turner and Erin Riley|December 11, 2020|Outside Online
Since the tiger’s vaccinations for rabies are up to date, the sanctuary is hopeful Kimba will not have to be put down.
A tiger at Carole Baskin’s sanctuary attacked a volunteer’s arm and ‘nearly tore it off at the shoulder’|Jaclyn Peiser|December 4, 2020|Washington Post

“This is a continuing effort to raise public awareness of the dangerous sanctuary state laws enacted by the state of California,” Archambeault said.
Sacramento Report: Sanctuary, Private Prisons Laws Back in the Spotlight|Maya Srikrishnan|October 9, 2020|Voice of San Diego
He hits bottom at Rocamadour, a sanctuary in the Dordogne known as a citadel of faith devoted to Mary.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Sanctuary for all, community for all, etc, etc.” So he was on the road to community, you know?
‘Walking Dead’ Showrunner Scott Gimple Teases ‘Darker, Weirder’ Times Ahead|Melissa Leon|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As Yellowstone bears increasingly wander outside the sanctuary of the park, they run an ever-greater risk of getting shot.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sanctuary the phantom callers promise comes with a price.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Excessive tourism could lead to a more rapid destruction of this sanctuary.
What Made Mexico’s Most Mysterious Beach?|Brandon Presser|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They have possessed thy holy people as nothing: our enemies have trodden down thy sanctuary.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.
His Last Week|William E. Barton
Her little library was the sanctuary for all confidential conversation upon matters of state.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
This alludes to the figure of the cherubims in the sanctuary, which with stretched out wings covered the ark.-Ibid.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And he brought me back to the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary, which looked towards the east: and it was shut.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for sanctuary

sanctuary

/ (ˈsæŋktjʊərɪ) /

noun plural -aries

a holy place

a consecrated building or shrine

Old Testament

the Israelite temple at Jerusalem, esp the holy of holies
the tabernacle in which the Ark was enshrined during the wanderings of the Israelites

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

a sacred building where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest or execution
the immunity so afforded

a place of refuge; asylum

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

Word Origin for sanctuary

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sanctuary

OTHER WORDS FOR sanctuary

Origin of sanctuary

OTHER WORDS FROM sanctuary

Words nearby sanctuary

Words related to sanctuary

How to use sanctuary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sanctuary

Word Origin for sanctuary