altar

noun

al·​tar ˈȯl-tər 

often attributive

1

: a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship

—often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else

sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement

2

a

: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the Eucharist

b

: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual

—often used with the to refer to the act of getting married

They are destined for the altar.

She left him at the altar. [=she decided at the last minute not to go through with her planned marriage to him]

Examples of altar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As fire captain’s daughter Gabriela Perez, the actor finds her character caught between fiancé Diego (Rafael de la Fuente) and ex Bode (Max Thieriot), who recently threw tacks on Gabriela’s road to the altar with an unexpected profession of love. —Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

He was unceremoniously replaced by Jay Leno in January 2010 (which Rolling Stone likened at the time as the comedy-world equivalent of being jilted at the altar for a Jersey Shore cast member) and hadn’t set foot on the NBC franchise’s stage since. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024

He's sacrificed on the altar of regional political strategy. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2024

Hamas would rather sacrifice the civilian population of Gaza on the altar of its genocidal ambition and suicidal desires. —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 6 Apr. 2024

At the end of every service, churchgoers would pray at the altar to receive the Holy Spirit. —Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024

Two brides in white dresses smile at each other standing at the altar, as their hands meld together into an ungodly finger clump. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

Following the Mass, the pope delivered the weekly Sunday Angelus message and blessing from the altar, rather than from a window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square, though that is not unusual when major events take place. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024

When Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi tie the knot, a familiar face will be standing at the altar with them. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alter, from Old English altar, from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing altar

• altar boy
• altar call
• altar girl
• altar of repose
• altar rail
• altar server
• altar stone
• high altar
• lead to the altar
• leave at the altar
• left him at the altar
• on the altar of success
• worship at the altar of

Kids Definition

altar

noun

al·​tar ˈȯl-tər 

1

: a raised place on which sacrifices are offered

2

: a platform or table used as a center of worship