shrine

noun \ ˈshrīn , especially Southern ˈsrīn \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: shrine in a Sentence

Definition of shrine

1 a : a case, box, or receptacle; especially : one in which sacred relics (such as the bones of a saint) are deposited

b : a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity : sanctuary

c : a niche containing a religious image

2 : a receptacle (such as a tomb) for the dead

3 : a place or object hallowed by its associations

See shrine defined for English-language learners

See shrine defined for kids

Examples of shrine in a Sentence

the shrine of Saint Mary
They erected a shrine to the saint.
tourists visiting the shrines of American independence
The writer's house has become a shrine to his fans.

Recent Examples of shrine from the Web

The new Magnolia Market feels like something much more: a place to buy stuff, yes, but also a community center, an expression of Gaines family values, and a sort-of shrine to their lifestyle.

— simon dumenco, Country Living, "17 Things to Know About Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market at the Silos," 12 June 2018
Shiites mark the Persian new year, known as Nauruz in Afghanistan, by visiting shrines.

— Fox News, "The Latest: IS claims suicide bombing in Afghanistan," 21 Mar. 2018
The Persian new year, known in Afghanistan as Nowruz, is a national holiday, and the country's minority Shiites typically celebrate by visiting shrines.

— rahim faiez, chicagotribune.com, "Islamic State suicide bomber kills 33 as Afghans celebrate new year," 21 Mar. 2018
When her dog Floyd passed away, Miley did everything from getting a tattoo in his honor to creating a shrine in memory of him and sharing it on Instagraam.

— ariel nagi, Seventeen, "Miley Cyrus Writes a Heartwrenching Song In Memory Of Her Pet Fish," 18 May 2015
Police officer Ali Nawaz said on Monday that the four victims were cousins from Karachi who were travelling home late the previous night after attending an annual festival at the famous shrine of Sufi saint Shahbaz Qalander in the town of Sehwan.

— Fox News, "Rickshaw and truck collide in southern Pakistan, 4 killed," 8 May 2018
The attack comes almost a month after an IS suicide bomber carried out an attack near a Shiite shrine in Kabul that targeted attendees celebrating the Persian new year.

— rahim faiez, The Seattle Times, "Islamic State suicide bomber kills 57 in Afghan capital," 22 Apr. 2018
And Zaboly presented his Alamo illustrations at the shrine under its auspices as recently as last month.

— rené a. guzman, San Antonio Express-News, "Alamo up in arms over new unofficial app," 19 Apr. 2018
She and the only other Jewish child in her school were singled out by the teacher, excluded from singing and barred from an annual trip to see a Black Madonna shrine in a nearby town.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Gussie Zaks, 92, spent decades sharing Holocaust experiences with students and others," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shrine

Middle English, from Old English scrīn, from Latin scrinium case, chest

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

shrine Synonyms

Synonyms

sanctuary, sanctum;

Related Words

reliquary;

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

shrine

verb

Definition of shrine

shrined; shrining

transitive verb

: enshrine

First Known Use of shrine

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SHRINE Defined for English Language Learners

shrine

noun

Definition of shrine for English Language Learners

: a place connected with a holy person or event where people go to worship
: a place that people visit because it is connected with someone or something that is important to them