noun Uncommon

Mecca

MEH-kuh

Mecca (noun) means a place regarded as a essential destination for people with a particular interest. Example: “Nashville is considered a mecca for country music fans.”

noun

A place regarded as a essential destination for people with a particular interest.

"Nashville is considered a mecca for country music fans."

"The city became a mecca for tech startups."

How to use Mecca

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA place that people with a shared passion feel they must visit.

When to use it

When used in the lowercase, figurative sense ("a mecca for shoppers"), it is a common noun; capitalize it when referring to the actual city.

Common pairings

mecca for shopping mecca tourist mecca

Word forms

Meccas plural

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Fill the gap

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Nashville is considered a _____ for country music fans.

Etymology

From Mecca, the holiest city in Islam in Saudi Arabia, which Muslims are required to visit on pilgrimage; the word later broadened to describe any must-visit destination for enthusiasts of any kind.

Rhymes for Mecca

Becca Rebecca

See all rhymes for Mecca →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Mecca” mean?

The word “Mecca” means a place regarded as a essential destination for people with a particular interest. In plain terms, a place that people with a shared passion feel they must visit.

How do you pronounce “Mecca”?

“Mecca” is pronounced MEH-kuh (/ˈmɛkə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Mecca” in a sentence?

Here is “Mecca” used in a sentence: “Nashville is considered a mecca for country music fans.”

What part of speech is “Mecca”?

“Mecca” is a noun.

Is “Mecca” a common word?

“Mecca” is an uncommon word in modern English.