sacred

adjective

sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd 

1

a

: dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity

a tree sacred to the gods

b

: devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose)

a fund sacred to charity

2

a

: worthy of religious veneration : holy

b

: entitled to reverence and respect

3

: of or relating to religion : not secular or profane

sacred music

4

archaic : accursed

5

a

: unassailable, inviolable

b

: highly valued and important

a sacred responsibility

sacredly adverb

sacredness noun

Synonyms

• hallowed
• holy
• inviolable
• sacrosanct
• unassailable
• untouchable

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 on the Web

The 3,000 artifacts include figurines, tusks, likeness of Benin’s rulers, and sacred masks, the bulk of which now reside with state museums in Europe. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 18 July 2024

The National Eucharistic Congress is part of a three-year Catholic movement to revive the sacred tradition of the Eucharist and bring Catholics across the country together. —Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2024

But many advocates don’t see this as nearly enough to ensure the livelihood of the sacred tree. —Kathryn Preston, Fortune, 12 July 2024

In my opinion, Maricopa County and the state have done an exemplary job of maintaining true custodial care of our sacred votes. —Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sacred

• sacred baboon
• sacred cow
• sacred fig
• sacred mushroom

Kids Definition

sacred

adjective

sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd 

1

: set apart in honor of someone (as a god)

a mountain sacred to Jupiter

2

: holy sense 3

the sacred name of Jesus

3

: religious entry 1 sense 2

sacred songs

4

: deserving respect or honor

a sacred right

sacredly adverb

sacredness noun

Etymology

Middle English sacred "sacred," derived from early French sacrer "to make holy, dedicate to God," from Latin sacrare (same meaning), from sacr-, sacer "sacred, holy" — related to consecrate, sacrifice