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]
Examples of altar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From altars to recipes, here are all the ways The Times commemorated the Day of the Dead.
—
Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
To honor the deceased, foods such as sugar skulls, sweetbread rolls and beverages are arranged on ofrendas, or house altars, along with clay ornaments and sentimental objects.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
One thing is for certain in all observing communities: The lively adornment of sacred spaces, including the home and one’s altar, is a big part of this celebration.
—Prinita Thevarajah, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Here's who got married in Love Is Blind season 7 finale — and who didn't make it to the altar
1.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altar 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
To honor the deceased, foods such as sugar skulls, sweetbread rolls and beverages are arranged on ofrendas, or house altars, along with clay ornaments and sentimental objects.
—Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024
One thing is for certain in all observing communities: The lively adornment of sacred spaces, including the home and one’s altar, is a big part of this celebration.
—Prinita Thevarajah, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Here's who got married in Love Is Blind season 7 finale — and who didn't make it to the altar
1.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altar
Dictionary Entries Near altar
Cite this Entry
“Altar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
altar
noun
al·tar
ˈȯl-tər 
1
: a raised place on which sacrifices are offered
2
: a platform or table used as a center of worship
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share