altar

noun

al·​tar ˈȯl-tər 

often attributive

1

: a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship

—often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else

sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement

2

a

: a tablelike construction used in the Christian church in celebrating the Eucharist

b

: a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual

—often used with the to refer to the act of getting married

They are destined for the altar.

She left him at the altar. [=she decided at the last minute not to go through with her planned marriage to him]

Examples of altar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Associated Press, the pope began the outing by being pushed in a wheelchair while wearing nasal tubes, before he was brought to the front of the altar in the square. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025

Faith leaders gathered in Philadelphia on Thursday to erect an altar in front of ICE headquarters in a defiant protest against the Trump administration's decision to allow agents to make immigration arrests in churches. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025

Since its unveiling, fans like Andrade have treated it as a memorial altar, leaving tokens of remembrance on her death anniversary or birthday. —Amy Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025

In another, an altar to Santa Muerte – the Saint of Death revered by Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and now adopted by Ecuadorian gangs. —Abel Alvarado, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alter, from Old English altar, from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing altar

• altar boy
• altar call
• altar girl
• altar of repose
• altar rail
• altar server
• altar stone
• high altar
• lead to the altar
• leave at the altar
• on the altar of success
• worship at the altar of

Rhymes for altar

• alter
• falter
• halter
• psalter
• salter
• defaulter

Kids Definition

altar

noun

al·​tar ˈȯl-tər 

1

: a raised place on which sacrifices are offered

2

: a platform or table used as a center of worship