sanctity

noun

sanc·​ti·​ty ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē 

plural sanctities

1

: holiness of life and character : godliness

2

a

: the quality or state of being holy or sacred : inviolability

b

sanctities plural : sacred objects, obligations, or rights

Synonyms

• blessedness
• devoutness
• godliness
• holiness
• piety
• piousness
• sainthood
• saintliness
• saintship

Examples of sanctity in a Sentence

the sanctity of the elderly nun shone through in her every word and gesture

Recent Examples on the Web

Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Unsure of who to trust, the team must work in the shadows to unmask the culprits threatening the sanctity of the New York field office. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 11 May 2025

The insane sanctity and maddened madness of ungodly godlike Ahab don’t help me. —Anne Carson, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Everything about their world and the sanctity of their home got uprooted in an instant. —Liz McNeil, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English saunctite, from Anglo-French sainteté, from Latin sanctitat-, sanctitas, from sanctus sacred

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sanctity

noun

sanc·​ti·​ty ˈsaŋ(k)-tət-ē 

plural sanctities

1

: holiness sense 1, saintliness

2

: the quality or state of being holy or sacred