altar

noun

al·​tar ˈȯl-tər 

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 groom was tearfully sharing heartfelt vows to his bride at the altar in front of 145 wedding guests when the incident happened. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Empathy, too, for husbands and fathers like Iman, sacrificing their families on the altar of an unjust regime; the unyielding grip of the patriarchy is their tragedy, too. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2024

Ramps and baptismal font: To accommodate people who have trouble taking the steps up to the altar, the plan is to disassemble two communion rails — on the right and left sides of the altar — and use the marble to create two ramps. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

The family had the ashes in an urn on an altar in their East Bay home for three years. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alter, from Old English altar, from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing altar

• altar boy
• altar call
• altar girl
• altar of repose
• altar rail
• altar server
• altar stone
• high altar
• lead to the altar
• leave at the altar
• on the altar of success
• worship at the altar of

Kids 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