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
Some of the more personal things discovered has come with their restoration work on the grottos, which are manmade cave-like structures made to house altars.
—
Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
In April, archaeologists uncovered a mysterious 1,700-year-old altar containing human remains in the nearby ancient city of Tikal, approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) south of Uaxactún.
—Alysha Bibi, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Kevin James stars as Matt, a man whose dreams of a picturesque Italian wedding are shattered when his fiancée leaves him at the altar.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 May 2025
The scene feels like a cross between an Apple Store and a ceremonial altar.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
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Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
In April, archaeologists uncovered a mysterious 1,700-year-old altar containing human remains in the nearby ancient city of Tikal, approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) south of Uaxactún.
—Alysha Bibi, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Kevin James stars as Matt, a man whose dreams of a picturesque Italian wedding are shattered when his fiancée leaves him at the altar.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 May 2025
The scene feels like a cross between an Apple Store and a ceremonial altar.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
Cite this Entry
“Altar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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