sacred

play

adjective sa·cred \ˈsā-krəd\

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

adverb

sacredness

noun

See sacred defined for English-language learners

See sacred defined for kids

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

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.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 13 July 2017
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.

— annie gowen, Washington Post, "In rebuke to Modi government, India’s high court suspends ban on trade of cattle for slaughter," 11 July 2017
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.

— tia ghose senior writer, Fox News, "Secret square discovered beneath Neolithic stone monument," 10 July 2017
To complicate things even further, sometimes the original looks have religious and cultural significance, and that sacred meaning is often completely dismissed by appropriators.

— teen vogue staff, Teen Vogue, "7 Celebrities Accused of Cultural Appropriation," 6 July 2017
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.

— Bloomberg.com, "China Demands India Leave Himalayan Plateau in Rising Spat," 6 July 2017
Hello, doesn't our national bird deserve more love on this, the sacred day of fireworks and barbecue?!

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "The Patriotic Dessert Trend That Sadly Never Took Off," 3 July 2017
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.

— ellen barry and yufan huang, New York Times, "With Modi in Washington, China and India ‘Jostle’ on Their Border," 27 June 2017
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.

— julie miller, VanityFair.com, "How Netflix’s The Crown Re-created Elizabeth II’s Coronation in Epic Detail," 22 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

SACRED Defined for English Language Learners

sacred

play

adjective

Definition of sacred for English Language Learners

: worthy of religious worship : very holy
: relating to religion
: highly valued and important : deserving great respect

SACRED Defined for Kids

sacred

play

adjective sa·cred \ˈsā-krəd\

Definition of sacred for Students

1 : holy 1 a sacred shrine
2 : religious 2 sacred songs
3 : deserving to be respected and honored Freedom is a sacred right.

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.