hallowed

adjective

hal·​lowed ˈha-(ˌ)lōd 

ˈha-ləd,

 in the Lord's Prayer often  ˈha-lə-wəd

1

: holy, consecrated

the church stands on hallowed ground

2

: sacred, revered

the university's hallowed halls

hallowed customs

Did you know?

Hallowed Has Old English Roots

The adjective hallowed probably doesn't give you the shivers—or does it? Hallowed is the past participle of the verb hallow, a term that descends from the Middle English halowen. That word can be traced back to the Old English adjective hālig, meaning "holy." During the Middle Ages, All Hallows' Day was the name for what Christians now call All Saints' Day, and the evening that preceded All Hallows' Day was All Hallows' Eve or All Hallow Even—or, as we know it today, Halloween.

Synonyms

• revered
• reverend
• sacred
• venerable
• venerated

Examples of hallowed in a Sentence

The church stands on hallowed ground.

the college's hallowed tradition of ringing the chapel bell one hundred times before commencement ceremonies

Recent Examples on the Web

The hallowed blend of amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules supports cellular renewal and growth in the hair. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2024

The iconic venue hosts the French Open Grand Slam each year, but this summer athletes can also win an Olympic gold on the hallowed red dirt. —NBC News, 28 July 2024

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige returned to San Diego Comic-Con’s hallowed Hall H on Saturday to hype the studio’s upcoming projects armed with exclusive footage, surprises and more. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2024

Maréchal also criticized top-selling, singer-song writer Aya Nakamura’s jubilant act in front of the hallowed Académie Française (the lofty institution preserving the French language), with the military band of the Republican Guard. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see hallow

First Known Use

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