Definition of shrine
1a : a case, box, or receptacle; especially : one in which sacred relics (such as the bones of a saint) are depositedb : a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity : sanctuaryc : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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Just beyond the 1908 Mission Revival house lies a full acre of lush green lawn adorned with pillared steps and a traditional Japanese shrine that offers a more chill socialization scene.
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An entire wall houses a colorful patchwork of matchbooks from Kansas City businesses; one corner holds a shrine to Pabst Blue Ribbon beer — his favorite — and another features stacks of paint cans from his grandfather’s business, Minnesota Paints.
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The attack marks the deadliest assault on Hindu pilgrims in the region since 2000, when 30 people were killed during the Amarnath Yatra, an annual religious pilgrimage to a cave shrine in the Himalayas.
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Between them, IS and the coalition have destroyed too many shrines and mosques to leave much of historic value, including the al-Nuri mosque dating back to Crusader times from where Mr Baghdadi proclaimed himself caliph.
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Zak the Baker built a light-hearted shrine to ward off Zika.
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Christ Chapel was rededicated as a nondenominational historic shrine in 1964.
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The league’s hall of fame—tucked away in the basement of the same building as the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum—is a shrine to such legends as Mo Vaughn and Frank Thomas, Jason Varitek and Nomar Garciaparra.
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There's even an annual festival in Kawasaki showcasing penis shrines.
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
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
First Known Use of shrine
14th century
SHRINE Defined for English Language Learners
shrine
playDefinition of shrine for English Language Learners
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: a place connected with a holy person or event where people go to worship
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: a place that people visit because it is connected with someone or something that is important to them
SHRINE Defined for Kids
shrine
playDefinition of shrine for Students
1 : a case or box for sacred relics (as the bones of saints)
2 : a place where people go to worship because of its connection to a holy person or event
3 : a place that is considered sacred or regarded with great respect The Lincoln Memorial is a shrine to all lovers of freedom.
Learn More about shrine
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See words that rhyme with shrine Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shrine Spanish Central: Translation of shrine Nglish: Translation of shrine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shrine for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shrine
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