altarpiece

noun

al·​tar·​piece ˈȯl-tər-ˌpēs 

: a work of art that decorates the space above and behind an altar

Examples of altarpiece in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The work is Fra Angelico’s earliest surviving altarpiece and likely his first large-scale painting, created for the church at San Domenico in Fiesole, just north of Florence. — News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

What had originally been a gold ground was replaced with classical architectural features offering a view of a landscape behind them, and the triptych was altered to be a single, square altarpiece. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Take in the Baroque architecture of Lecce and prepare to be overwhelmed by its exuberant facades, altarpieces, and piazzas. — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026

Guston’s Reconstruction and the Well-Being of the Family—a triptych on wood panels—is mounted on the stage of the auditorium and dominates the hall like an altarpiece in a nave. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for altarpiece

• centerpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• masterpiece
• pilates
• specialise
• stabilise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice