English Dictionary

Definition of “sanctuary”

sanctuary (ˈsæŋktjʊərɪ Pronunciation for sanctuary

Definitions

noun

(plural) -aries
  1. a holy place
  2. a consecrated building or shrine
  3. (Old Testament)
    1. the Israelite temple at Jerusalem, esp the holy of holies
    2. the tabernacle in which the Ark was enshrined during the wanderings of the Israelites
  4. the chancel, or that part of a sacred building surrounding the main altar
    1. a sacred building where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest or execution
    2. the immunity so afforded
  5. a place of refuge; asylum
  6. a place, protected by law, where animals, esp birds, can live and breed without interference

Word Origin

C14: from Old French sainctuarie, from Late Latin sanctuārium repository for holy things, from Latin sanctus holy

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= reserve, park, preserve, reservation, national park, tract, nature reserve, conservation area
= shrine, church, temple, altar, sanctum, Holy of Holies

Translations for 'sanctuary'

  • British English: sanctuary A sanctuary is a place where people who are in danger from other people can go to be safe. NOUN...a sanctuary for refugees.for people
  • Brazilian Portuguese: santuário
  • Chinese: 避难所避难難所
  • European Spanish: refugio
  • French: sanctuaire
  • German: Zuflucht
  • Italian: rifugio
  • Japanese: 避難所
  • Korean: 피신처
  • Portuguese: santuário
  • Spanish: refugio
  • British English: sanctuary A sanctuary is a place where birds or animals are protected and allowed to live freely. NOUN...a bird sanctuary.for bird, animals
  • Brazilian Portuguese: santuário
  • Chinese: 保护区保护<TRAD>護</TRAD>区<TRAD>區</TRAD>難所
  • European Spanish: santuario
  • French: réserve
  • German: Schutzgebiet
  • Italian: riserva
  • Japanese: 鳥獣保護区
  • Korean: 보호 구역
  • Portuguese: santuário
  • Spanish: santuario

Example Sentences Including 'sanctuary'

At the sanctuary , Tina will roam an area of about 1,100 hectares.
Globe and Mail (2003)
He is working to move his operation to Costa Rica, where he hopes to open the world's largest sanctuary for the birds.
canada.com (2004)
Hollis wiped his brow before stepping into the shaded sanctuary of the covered porch.
Mark Mills AMAGANSETT (2004)
Others simply seek refugee status in Germany, the easiest EU nation in which to obtain sanctuary.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Revulsion at the thought, fear of the act; his mind recoiled from it, seeking sanctuary , finding it at once.
Ross, Melville Lohengrin
Their purpose, I believe, was to drive her here, where she would find sanctuary.
Amanda Hemingway THE GREENSTONE GRAIL: The Sangreal Trilogy One (2004)
There is often also a screwdriver, essential for changing the plug on the ritual ghetto-blaster, or rewiring the sanctuary lamp!
Marian Green A WITCH ALONE
They have already killed 440 minke whales in a recent hunt in the Southern Ocean sanctuary.
New Scientist (2004)
With bookshelves, an armchair and a collection of treasured mementoes, you have a sanctuary fit for a queen.
Glasgow Herald (2001)

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