often attributive
1
: a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship
—often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else
sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement
2
a
: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the Eucharist
b
: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual
—often used with the to refer to the act of getting married
They are destined for the altar.
She left him at the altar. [=she decided at the last minute not to go through with her planned marriage to him]
Examples of altar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks, and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica.
—
Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
Standing just off the main altar inside Santa Cruz Church, Ana María calmly pulled out her replacement phone — her original had been recently stolen.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Four children placed white roses at the altar in front of the icon before the coffin was carried toward the niche where Francis will be laid to rest under a simple tombstone with his name in Latin.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica.
—Darlene Superville and Aamer Madhani, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
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Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
Standing just off the main altar inside Santa Cruz Church, Ana María calmly pulled out her replacement phone — her original had been recently stolen.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Four children placed white roses at the altar in front of the icon before the coffin was carried toward the niche where Francis will be laid to rest under a simple tombstone with his name in Latin.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica.
—Darlene Superville and Aamer Madhani, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
Cite this Entry
“Altar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
altar
noun
al·tar
ˈȯl-tər 
1
: a raised place on which sacrifices are offered
2
: a platform or table used as a center of worship
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