sacred

1 of 2

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

sacredness

2 of 2

noun

sa·​cred·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being sacred

Synonyms of sacred

Adjective

• holy

Examples of sacred in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

These wordless vocalizations that feel both sacred and profane, beautiful and terrifying. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Saturdays during the fall are seen as sacred days where people put their differences aside and come together to cheer for their team. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

As the stakes rise and the network runs deeper, Joe must forge unlikely alliances, cross sacred lines, and take his war beyond the walls of the church to save the lives no one else can. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Up until about 20 years ago, a faint trail up a steep hill through limestone-and-chalk cliffs was the only way to reach Beket-Ata, one of the sacred underground mosques—as they’re colloquially known—of Kazakhstan’s Mangystau desert. — Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

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