mecca

noun

mec·​ca ˈme-kə How to pronounce mecca (audio)
often capitalized
: a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest
a mecca for shoppers

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Sundance is a mecca for film nerds—and experienced skiers. Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024 The notable Italian studios, which recently set up a joint boutique in the yachting mecca of Porto Lotti, started working with Austin Parker a few years ago and have helped develop a distinctive design DNA for the yard. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2024 While snow in Phoenix doesn't compare to the blizzards and winter storms that places like Flagstaff or Pinetop-Lakeside experience, the desert mecca can still see the occasional snowflakes falling from the sky. Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mecca 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mecca was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near mecca

Cite this Entry

“Mecca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mecca. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

mecca

noun
mec·​ca ˈmek-ə How to pronounce mecca (audio)
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 How to pronounce Mecca (audio)
variants or Arabic Makkah
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 adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mecca

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