Definition of sacred
1a : dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity a tree sacred to the godsb : devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) a fund sacred to charity
2a : worthy of religious veneration : holyb : entitled to reverence and respect
3 : of or relating to religion : not secular or profane sacred music
4 archaic : accursed
5a : unassailable, inviolableb : highly valued and important a sacred responsibility
sacredly
adverbsacredness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of sacred in a Sentence
The burial site is sacred ground.
the sacred image of the Virgin Mary
the sacred pursuit of liberty
We have a sacred duty to find out the truth.
Freedom is a sacred right.
They'll make jokes about anything. Nothing is sacred to those guys.
I can't believe they would do that. Is nothing sacred?
Recent Examples of sacred from the Web
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The protection of cows, which are sacred to Hindus, has become a sectarian issue in India, where many in the meat-packing industry are Muslim.
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Cow slaughter and consumption have increasingly become a flash point in India, where cows are considered sacred by many members of the Hindu majority and where cow traders and beef consumers have faced beatings and lynchings.
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Along with Stonehenge, Silbury Hill and Windmill Hill, the newfound monuments may have formed a vast sacred landscape that ancient people used for rituals and communal gatherings whose purpose remains shrouded in mystery.
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To complicate things even further, sometimes the original looks have religious and cultural significance, and that sacred meaning is often completely dismissed by appropriators.
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Incensed with India's involvement, China retaliated by closing a nearby mountain pass that Indian pilgrims use to reach Mount Kailash, a sacred Hindu and Buddhist site in Tibet.
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Hello, doesn't our national bird deserve more love on this, the sacred day of fireworks and barbecue?!
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In protest, China cut off access to a group of Indian pilgrims who must cross a Chinese pass on their way to Mount Kailash, which is considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists.
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To protect the sanctity of the most sacred coronation ritual, however, Elizabeth is shielded from the cameras by a golden canopy as she is anointed queen.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sacred.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sacred
Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Anglo-French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite šaklāi- rite
Other Christian Religious Terms
SACRED Defined for English Language Learners
sacred
playDefinition of sacred for English Language Learners
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: worthy of religious worship : very holy
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: relating to religion
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: highly valued and important : deserving great respect
SACRED Defined for Kids
Word Root of sacred
The Latin word sacer, meaning “holy,” and the related word sānctus, also meaning “holy,” give us the roots sacr and sanct. Words from the Latin sacer or sānctus have something to do with holiness. A sanctuary is a holy place. Anything sacred is holy. To sacrifice is to dedicate as a holy offering to a god.
Learn More about sacred
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sacred Spanish Central: Translation of sacred Nglish: Translation of sacred for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sacred for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sacred
Seen and Heard
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