sacred

adjective

sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd 

1

a

: dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity

a tree sacred to the gods

b

: devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose)

a fund sacred to charity

2

a

: worthy of religious veneration : holy

b

: entitled to reverence and respect

3

: of or relating to religion : not secular or profane

sacred music

4

archaic : accursed

5

a

: unassailable, inviolable

b

: highly valued and important

a sacred responsibility

sacredly adverb

sacredness noun

Synonyms

• hallowed
• holy
• inviolable
• sacrosanct
• unassailable
• untouchable

Examples of sacred in a Sentence

The burial site is sacred ground.

the sacred image of the Virgin Mary

the sacred pursuit of liberty

We have a sacred duty to find out the truth.

Freedom is a sacred right.

They'll make jokes about anything. Nothing is sacred to those guys.

I can't believe they would do that. Is nothing sacred?

Recent Examples on the Web

But the performer invited to take on this onerous task nearly always agrees, because there is no platform like that one in this country—a great equalizer stage, a microcosm of all things sacred and profane. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Police reported the stampede occurred as hundreds of millions of pilgrims rushed to dip in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the festival. —Kyra Colah, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025

There was a conscious decision made not to blow up the church, because that's so symbolic of hatred, and that was a sacred building for the entire Walnut Grove community on the show and off the show. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2025

For nearly two decades, this sacred gathering has honored exceptional women who are creating a foundation for the next generation of artistic trailblazers. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Anglo-French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite šaklāi- rite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sacred

• sacred baboon
• sacred cow
• sacred fig
• sacred mushroom

Kids Definition

sacred

adjective

sa·​cred ˈsā-krəd 

1

: set apart in honor of someone (as a god)

a mountain sacred to Jupiter

2

: holy sense 3

the sacred name of Jesus

3

: religious entry 1 sense 2

sacred songs

4

: deserving respect or honor

a sacred right

sacredly adverb

sacredness noun

Etymology

Middle English sacred "sacred," derived from early French sacrer "to make holy, dedicate to God," from Latin sacrare (same meaning), from sacr-, sacer "sacred, holy" — related to consecrate, sacrifice