sanctum sanctorum

[ sangk-tawr-uhm, -tohr- ]

/ sæŋkˈtɔr əm, -ˈtoʊr- /

Save This Word!

noun

the holy of holies of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.

sanctum (def. 2).

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sanctum sanctorum

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin sānctum sānctōrum, translation of Hebrew qōdhesh haqqodhāshīm holy of holies

Words nearby sanctum sanctorum

sanctity, sanctuary, sanctuary city, sanctuary lamp, sanctum, sanctum sanctorum, Sanctus, Sanctus bell, sanctus turret, sand, Sandage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sanctum sanctorum in a sentence

Yet as recent work suggests, invaders have found all sorts of ways into the inner sanctum.
Scientists Find Bacteria Where It Isn’t Supposed to Be: The Brain|Amanda Schaffer|March 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In other words, Eric, supposedly a financial master of the universe, is cut off from reality in his inner sanctum on wheels.
The Crush for Cronenberg’s Cannes Competition Entry, ‘Cosmopolis’|Richard Porton|May 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But if Hoover could bug the innermost sanctum of the Supreme Court, nothing was sacred for the FBI.
J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI’s War on Americans’ Civil Liberties|Ben Jacobs|February 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There is, to Obama, a milquetoastian core, one that needs perpetual strengthening by an inner-sanctum bruiser.
America's Prime Minister|Tunku Varadarajan|September 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Inside this inner sanctum was yet another black door, another secret chamber: the VIP of VIPs.
The World's Savviest Supermodel|Dom Phillips|May 31, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Her chamber was her retreat and sanctum, and she had lavished much taste and time in fitting it up.
Alone|Marion Harland
At the appointed time she passed through the iron doors of the Sanctum Regnum.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite
He gave Alfred his first sight of the inner sanctorum of the show world, namely, the dressing rooms.
Watch Yourself Go By|Al. G. Field
"I have yet other motives in presenting myself to-day, in this, your sanctum," stated Mr. Van Nicht.
Those Times And These|Irvin S. Cobb
He made his way back to the doctor's sanctum, and found that gentleman awaiting him impatiently.
The Daffodil Mystery|Edgar Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for sanctum sanctorum

sanctum sanctorum

/ (sæŋkˈtɔːrəm) /

noun

Bible another term for the holy of holies

often facetious an especially private place

Word Origin for sanctum sanctorum

C14: from Latin, literally: holy of holies, rendering Hebrew qōdesh haqqodāshīm

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

Cultural definitions for sanctum sanctorum

sanctum sanctorum

[ (sangk-tuhm sangk-tawr-uhm) ]

Latin for “holy of holies.” The place in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem) where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. By extension, a sacred and private place.