altar
noun
al·tar ˈȯl-tər 
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]
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Even more troubling: sacrificing all sports on the altar of football profits. 
Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 As with the Mar-a-Lago raid, justice and the rule of law were sacrificed on the altar of politics. Brett Tolman, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 Hustle has always been romanticized in American culture, which promises that nobly sacrificing yourself on the altar of endless work will pay off in the end. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 The ending of Iphigenia in Aulis has Iphigenia spirited away by a goddess, while a deer takes her place on the altar and is sacrificed instead of the girl. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. CBS News, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. oregonlive, 30 May 2022 Children sat on the altar in a sign of hope during the memorial mass for the victims who died on Tuesday at Robb Elementary School, where white crosses memorialized each of the dead kids by name. Nancy Cook, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2022 See More
Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Sep. 2022 As with the Mar-a-Lago raid, justice and the rule of law were sacrificed on the altar of politics. Brett Tolman, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 Hustle has always been romanticized in American culture, which promises that nobly sacrificing yourself on the altar of endless work will pay off in the end. New York Times, 3 Aug. 2022 The ending of Iphigenia in Aulis has Iphigenia spirited away by a goddess, while a deer takes her place on the altar and is sacrificed instead of the girl. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. CBS News, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. oregonlive, 30 May 2022 Children sat on the altar in a sign of hope during the memorial mass for the victims who died on Tuesday at Robb Elementary School, where white crosses memorialized each of the dead kids by name. Nancy Cook, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English alter, from Old English altar, from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing altar
Kids Definition
altar
noun
al·tar ˈȯl-tər
1
: a platform or table used as a center of worship
2
: a usually raised place on which sacrifices are offered
altar
noun
as in pulpit
a table or place which serves as a center of worship or ritual There was a small altar at the front of the room with candles on it. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pulpit
- balcony
- bimah
- platform
- podium
- bima
- riser
- stand
- dais
- scaffold
- footpace
- rostrum
- stage
- tribune
- gallery