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 of sacred

• holy

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 objects range from rare Buddhist sculptures and sacred texts to antique furniture and 20th-century paintings by pioneering artists like Lee Ungno and Kim Whanki, who curators say redefined Korean painting in a modernizing world. —Christy Choi, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Owámniyomni Okhódayapi says the restoration of the 8-acre area will improve wildlife habitats while honoring Dakota voices at a sacred site that was, over the years, decimated by settlers who built mills along the falls. —Aki Nace, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Its desert landscapes, adobe architecture, spiritual shops, thoughtful galleries, healing spas, and slow, sacred quiet give you the space to reflect and reset while still feeling held by a sense of mystery and meaning. —Colin Bedell, Them., 17 Nov. 2025

Mate is a sacred plant to the Guaraní—a group of Indigenous people from the surrounding region—and is used in religious rituals and for social bonding. —Kendall Hunter, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025

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