sanctum
Americannoun
plural
sanctums, sancta-
a sacred or holy place.
-
an inviolably private place or retreat.
noun
-
a sacred or holy place
-
a room or place of total privacy or inviolability
Etymology
Origin of sanctum
1570–80; noun use of neuter of Latin sānctus; see Sanctus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cache of documents offer a rare glimpse into the inner sanctum of the Silicon Valley elite, revealing how deals are made and even how they regard one another.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
The goal was to coax lapsed vacationers back to America’s sanctum of indulgence, greasing the wheels of a hospitality sector that’s struggled all year long.
From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025
Both Amvets and the rave felt like coming home — which was far from Kim Kardashian’s jump-scare-y minimalist mansion and more like the layers, textures and jewel tones of Anaïs Nin’s Silver Lake sanctum.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025
It's just that if they got inside the inner sanctum and they saw what I saw, they would under no circumstances support him.
From Salon • May 18, 2024
To the side of the sanctum was a painted wooden sculpture.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
