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

Atlanta has been rap’s mecca for the better part of three decades, but now the bridge to the next generation feels unsteady, in part because of losses like these. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2024

Acadia National Park Acadia National Park is a mecca for fall foliage. —Joni Sweet, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

But his emergence coincided with the city cementing its identity as an undisputed hip-hop mecca. —Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024

Nearby, the West Hartford Reservoir recreation area off Farmington Avenue is a year-round local mecca for walking the dog, running, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or enjoying nature come alive around the lake. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 11 Aug. 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