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

The program will consist primarily of sacred compositions by Benjamin Britten, Antonio Vivaldi, Edwin Fissinger and Caroline Shaw, in contemporary arrangements with lyrics in French, Latin, German and English. —Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024

The allure of the Lady Dior line continues with the recent ninth edition of the Dior Lady Art Project, where artists crafted iterations that explored nature, ancestral traditions and sacred symbols — bringing storytelling and design together. —Alfredo Mineo, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024

The sacred event begins on Dec. 24 when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. —Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024

The fairy is on a quest to find the sacred Lotus flower and return it to her Enchanted Land before her magical world is destroyed. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024

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