a consecrated place, e.g.:
the ancient temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies (sacred inner chamber)
the most sacred part of a religious building, esp the part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed
a place for worship, e.g. a church or a temple
a place of refuge and protection
a refuge for wildlife where predators are controlled and hunting is illegal
a bird sanctuary
a refuge for animals that have been injured, neglected, ill-treated, etc
a donkey sanctuary
the immunity from punishment by law formerly extended to somebody taking refuge in a church or other sacred building
[Middle English sanctuarie via French from late Latin sanctuarium, from Latin sanctus: see saint1]