sanctuary

adjective

US

: relating to or being a locality that provides limited cooperation to federal officials in the enforcement of immigration laws or policies

a sanctuary jurisdiction

sanctuary policies

A judge in San Francisco … temporarily blocked President Trump's efforts to starve localities of federal funds when they limit their cooperation with immigration enforcement, a stinging rejection of his threats to make so-called sanctuary cities fall in line.

—Vivian Lee

Did you know?

Historically, churches have been places where fugitives could seek at least temporary protection from the law. In Anglo-Saxon England, churches and churchyards generally provided 40 days of immunity, and neither the sheriffs nor the army would enter to seize the outlaw. But gradually the right of sanctuary was eroded. In 1486 sanctuary for the crime of treason was disallowed, and sanctuary for most other crimes was severely restricted by Henry VIII and later abolished. In the 1980s many U.S. churches provided sanctuary to political refugees from Central America, and the U.S. government mostly chose not to interfere. Today, wildlife sanctuaries provide protection for the species within its boundaries, and farm-animal sanctuaries now rescue livestock from abuse and starvation.

Examples of sanctuary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Immigration policy also emerged as a recurring issue following debate last year over sanctuary-city policies and protections for immigration communities. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 3 June 2026

Continue reading … DALE WILCOX — Maryland sheriffs should not be handcuffed by reckless sanctuary politics. —FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Standout views of the Toronto islands add to the sanctuary-like vibe. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The same can be said for looking ball collections, your bird sanctuary complete with not one but five bird baths, and bottle trees. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sanctuary

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry

Kids Definition

sanctuary

noun

sanc·​tu·​ary ˈsaŋ(k)-chə-ˌwer-ē 

plural sanctuaries

1

: a holy or sacred place

2

: the most sacred part of a place of worship

3

: a building or room for religious worship

4

: a place that provides shelter or protection

a wildlife sanctuary

5

: protection provided by a sanctuary