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

Residents of Urda placed 69 candles near the altar in honor of the victims. — Francisco Seco, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Now, more than three decades later, that very SEC Championship Game is being sacrificed on the altar of progress with the announcement earlier this week that college football will expand its playoff from 12 teams to 24 starting next season. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026

The center of her altar included a Catrina, a female skeleton associated with the holiday, wearing a monarch butterfly shirt, a large lacey hat and a Catholic cross. — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Their road to the altar hit an early snag when Taylor questioned whether Daniel had followed her on Instagram before filming. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for altar

• alter
• falter
• halter
• psalter
• salter
• defaulter

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