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, meaning "holy" or "revered," isn’t especially spooky, but its history is entwined with that of a certain spooky season. Hallowed is the past participle of the verb hallow, a term that descends from the Middle English word 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 (hallow was once used also as a noun referring to a saint), and the evening that preceded All Hallows' Day was All Hallows' Eve or All Hallow Even—or, as we know it today, Halloween. (Although pumpkins are often hollowed out on Halloween, hollow has a different Old English root.)

Synonyms of hallowed

• venerable
• venerated
• revered
• sacred

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

Where Subway Takes and Hot Ones occupy hallowed ground in the celebrity press tour, Questlove’s new series feels more like a hangout. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026

But the biggest honor that Peluso is looking forward to is playing the hallowed stage of the Hollywood Bowl. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Which iconic horrors will return to haunt the hallowed halls of 13 and what new terrors await? — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2026

When Alfonzo first stepped to the plate at hallowed Dodger Stadium in the third inning, the Los Angeles crowd rose to give him a huge ovation, aware of the strength required to take these swings. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see hallow

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for hallowed

• unhallowed

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