mecca

noun

mec·​ca ˈme-kə 

often capitalized

: a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest

a mecca for shoppers

Synonyms

• axis
• base
• capital
• center
• central
• core
• cynosure
• epicenter
• eye
• focus
• ground zero
• heart
• hub
• locus
• navel
• nerve center
• nexus
• nucleus
• omphalos
• seat

Examples of mecca in a Sentence

The valley is a mecca for wine lovers.

The town has become a mecca for tourists.

Recent Examples on the Web

The arena is nearing the end of a $42 million project aimed at leaning into the arena’s growing presence as an Arizona music mecca and entertainment destination. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024

Pink was founded as Thomas Pink in 1984 by three Irish brothers — James, Peter and John Mullen — in the go-go years as London was becoming a financial market mecca under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

With its curbs adorned with hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds, the new circuit also paid homage to Vegas’ status as gambling mecca. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Now in its 30th year (and celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ground-breaking companion cookbook), the Five-Star French Laundry still shines as a culinary mecca. —Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a destination of pilgrims in the Islamic world

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mecca

noun

mec·​ca ˈmek-ə 

often capitalized

: a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest

a mecca for tourists

Etymology

named for Mecca, city in Arabia, the birthplace of Muhammad and the goal of Muslim pilgrimages

Geographical Definition

Mecca

geographical name

Mec·​ca ˈme-kə 

variants or Arabic Makkah

ˈmä-kə 

holy city in western Saudi Arabia population 1,294,106

Note: Mecca is the chief pilgrimage destination for Muslims and the capital of Hejaz.

Meccan

ˈme-kən 

adjective or noun