Standard Lemma guide

sanctum

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈsæŋktəm/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: S AE1 NG K T AH0 M Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A place set apart, as with a sanctum sanctorum; a sacred or private place; a private retreat or workroom.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a sacred place of pilgrimage

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: holy place, holy

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: topographic point, place, spot

3

noun

Meaning 3

a place of inviolable privacy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he withdrew to his sanctum sanctorum, where the children could never go

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sanctum sanctorum

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: retreat

History

Etymology

From Latin sānctum (“that which is holy”).

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: светилище (svetilište) — a place set apart
  • French: sanctuaire — a place set apart
  • Ancient Greek: ἄδυτον (áduton) — a place set apart
  • Latin: adytum — a place set apart