sacred

adjective

sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd How to pronounce sacred (audio)
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
b
: highly valued and important
a sacred responsibility
sacredly adverb
sacredness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today, the irreplaceable has become vulnerable The ice storm that crippled northern Michigan at the end of March served as a stark warning of how irreplaceable pieces of history and sacred spaces can be lost in an instant. Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 And then the signers pledge their fortunes, their lives and their sacred honor to it. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 Life is sacred to the Republican Party only in the womb. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 This superstitious date, historically linked to everything from biblical betrayals to medieval massacres, has become a sacred day for tattoo and piercing parlors across the country. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sacred

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sacred was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sacred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacred. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sacred

adjective
sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd How to pronounce sacred (audio)
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

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