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
With its tuff walls, traces of the altar, natural light and contemporary artwork, everything is arranged to strike a balance between the sacred and the everyday.
—
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Prince Valiant Much of Spaceballs' plot kicks off when Daphne Zuniga's Princess Vespa runs away from her soporific betrothed, Prince Valium (the mighty Jim J. Bullock), at the altar.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
Per What's The Jam, 25-year-old Gustavo Schmitz was captured passing out while standing beside his bride at the altar.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 June 2025
Photos show the circular altar, which measured about 22 feet across.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
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Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Prince Valiant Much of Spaceballs' plot kicks off when Daphne Zuniga's Princess Vespa runs away from her soporific betrothed, Prince Valium (the mighty Jim J. Bullock), at the altar.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
Per What's The Jam, 25-year-old Gustavo Schmitz was captured passing out while standing beside his bride at the altar.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 June 2025
Photos show the circular altar, which measured about 22 feet across.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for altar
Cite this Entry
“Altar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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
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