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
b
: highly valued and important
a sacred responsibility
sacredly
adverb
sacredness
noun
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
Others may also visit the sacred sites for a voluntary pilgrimage called Umrah that can be undertaken at any time.
—
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
In historical records, Abydos was referred to as a sacred city that was the final resting place of Osiris — the god of the underworld — and the preferred resting place for the first pharaohs.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
The surprises throughout the series are sacred because that has largely been what makes The White Lotus so exciting for viewers to watch, Bernad adds.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Homes are being lost, sacred sites are disappearing, and the deep cultural ties to place are at risk.
—Oweesta, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sacred
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Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
In historical records, Abydos was referred to as a sacred city that was the final resting place of Osiris — the god of the underworld — and the preferred resting place for the first pharaohs.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
The surprises throughout the series are sacred because that has largely been what makes The White Lotus so exciting for viewers to watch, Bernad adds.
—Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Homes are being lost, sacred sites are disappearing, and the deep cultural ties to place are at risk.
—Oweesta, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sacred
Cite this Entry
“Sacred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacred. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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