Definitions for sanctuary
ˈsæŋk tʃuˌɛr isanc·tu·a·ry

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. sanctuarynoun

   a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept

2. refuge, sanctuary, asylumnoun

   a shelter from danger or hardship

3. chancel, sanctuary, bemanoun

   area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sanctuarynoun

   A place of safety, refuge or protection.

   My car is a sanctuary, where none can disturb me except for people who cut me off.

2. sanctuarynoun

   An area set aside for protection.

   The bird sanctuary has strict restrictions on visitors so the birds aren't disturbed.

3. sanctuarynoun

   A state of being protected, asylum.

   The government granted sanctuary to the defector, protecting him from his former government.

4. sanctuarynoun

   The consecrated (or sacred) area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.

5. Etymology: From sanctuary, from saintuaire, from sanctuarium, from sanctus; see saint.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. SANCTUARYnoun

   Etymology: sanctuaire, Fr. sanctuarium, Latin.

   1. A holy place; holy ground. Properly the penetralia, or most retired and awful part of a temple.

   Having waste ground enough,
   Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary,
   And pitch our evils there. William Shakespeare.

   They often plac’d
   Within his sanctuary itself their shrines. John Milton.

   Let it not be imagined, that they contribute nothing to the happiness of the country who only serve God in the duties of a holy life, who attend his sanctuary, and daily address his goodness. John Rogers, Sermons.

   2. A place of protection; a sacred asylum: whence a sanctuary man, one who takes shelter in a holy place.

   Come, my boy, we will to sanctuary. William Shakespeare, R. III.

   I’ll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary,
   To save at least the heir of Edward’s right. William Shakespeare, H. VI.

   Oft have I heard of sanctuary men;
   But sanctuary children, ne’er ’till now. William Shakespeare, R. III.

   He fled to Beverly, where he and divers of his company registered themselves sanctuary men. Francis Bacon, Henry VII.

   Howsoever the sanctuary man was protected from his creditors, yet his goods out of sanctuary should not. Francis Bacon, H. VII.

   This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill. John Milton.

   3. Shelter; protection.

   What are the bulls to the frogs, or the lakes to the meadows? Very much, says the frog; for he that’s worsted will be sure to take sanctuary in the fens. Roger L'Estrange.

   The admirable works of painting were made fuel for the fire; but some reliques of it took sanctuary under ground, and escaped the common destiny. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sanctuary

   A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This secondary use can be categorized into human sanctuary, a safe place for people, such as a political sanctuary; and non-human sanctuary, such as an animal or plant sanctuary.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Sanctuarynoun

   a sacred place; a consecrated spot; a holy and inviolable site

2. Sanctuarynoun

   the most retired part of the temple at Jerusalem, called the Holy of Holies, in which was kept the ark of the covenant, and into which no person was permitted to enter except the high priest, and he only once a year, to intercede for the people; also, the most sacred part of the tabernacle; also, the temple at Jerusalem

3. Sanctuarynoun

   the most sacred part of any religious building, esp. that part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed

4. Sanctuarynoun

   a house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where divine service is performed; a church, temple, or other place of worship

5. Sanctuarynoun

   a sacred and inviolable asylum; a place of refuge and protection; shelter; refuge; protection

6. Etymology: [OE. seintuarie, OF. saintuaire, F. sanctuaire, fr. L. sanctuarium, from sanctus sacred, holy. See Saint.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sanctuary

   A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a safe haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This secondary use can be categorized into human sanctuary, a safe place for humans, such as a political sanctuary; and non-human sanctuary, such as an animal or plant sanctuary.

Dictionary of Military and Associated TermsRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. sanctuary

   A nation or area near or contiguous to the combat area that, by tacit agreement between the warring powers, is exempt from attack and therefore serves as a refuge for staging, logistic, or other activities of the combatant powers.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sanctuary

   Song lyrics by sanctuary -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by sanctuary on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Area
   • Place
   • Shelter

How to pronounce sanctuary?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say sanctuary in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of sanctuary in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of sanctuary in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of sanctuary in a Sentence

1. Joseph Dunford:

   I think Joint Chiefs of Staff's premature, I'm not using the' withdraw' word right now, we're going to make sure our, that Afghanistan's not a sanctuary.

2. Peter Minard:

   Not merely an absence of noise, Real Silence begins when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.

3. Benjamin Roberts:

   Religious rectitude is the sanctuary of the intellectually reticent

4. Phil Scott:

   This bill has been carefully crafted … to confirm Vermont remains compliant with federal law, that we would not be established as a sanctuary state, and to address the needs and recommendations of our law enforcement partners.

5. Michael Boyd:

   We have no evidence at all for deities at the sanctuary, so it is best to think of the ritual practices being directed atthe supernatural, more broadly conceived, as well as at the wider community.

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