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

Mauricio waited for her at the altar in a Dior suit and gold cufflinks that once belonged to his grandfather. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2024

They are constructed so that the priest and congregants face east toward the altar and crucifixion icon during worship. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

The wedding altar could be seen adorned with large white roses and other flowers in large glass vases. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

Nick Bril’s culinary wizardry is a fine match for the setting, a former chapel with vaulted ceilings and an open kitchen perched on the old altar. —Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024

Sharon created another altar, alongside Fredreaka’s. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

As fire captain’s daughter Gabriela Perez, the actor finds her character caught between fiancé Diego (Rafael de la Fuente) and ex Bode (Max Thieriot), who recently threw tacks on Gabriela’s road to the altar with an unexpected profession of love. —Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

He was unceremoniously replaced by Jay Leno in January 2010 (which Rolling Stone likened at the time as the comedy-world equivalent of being jilted at the altar for a Jersey Shore cast member) and hadn’t set foot on the NBC franchise’s stage since. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024

He's sacrificed on the altar of regional political strategy. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Apr. 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
• left him 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