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

Those who love thrifting will also find the city a mecca for preloved vintage goods. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024

The Detroit museum has been a mecca for everyone from Snoop Dogg to Metallica. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct. 2024

Wayfair operates nine specialty brand home furnishings stores in four states, including Joss & Main at Oakbrook Center, the same sprawling, 62-year-old west suburban retail mecca where Boll & Branch is setting up shop. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Oct. 2024

Telluride This southern Colorado mountain mecca is also dog-friendly, boasting multiple lodging options for your canine friends. —The Know, The Denver Post, 14 Oct. 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