Altar
/ˈɔːltər/
nounBeginner📊CommonObject
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A table or raised structure used for religious rituals, sacrifices, or offerings.
/ˈɔːltər/
nounneutralBeginner
Object
A raised structure on which sacrifices or offerings are made.
The church altar was adorned with flowers.
💡 Simply: A special place in a religious building for offerings.
More Examples
2
They offered prayers at the altar.
How It's Used
Religious
"The priest placed the bread and wine on the altar."
Figurative
"He sacrificed his career on the altar of his family."
From Old French *autel, from Late Latin altare, from Latin altus "high"
Altars have been central to religious practices across many cultures and time periods.
Memory tip
Think of it being 'high' (altus in Latin) and thus elevated.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"high"
altar clothaltar boyaltar call
Common misspellings
alter
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written