noun
sanctum
SANGK-tuhm
Sanctum (noun) means a private or sacred place that others rarely enter. Example: “The study was his sanctum, where nobody was allowed to disturb him.”
noun
1
A private or sacred place that others rarely enter.
"A diary, after all, is a sanctum for self-confession."
— Richard Knisely, Quintessential Narcissism (1984)
"The study was his sanctum, where nobody was allowed to disturb him."
How to use sanctum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA private, personal space treated almost as sacred — somewhere you go to be left alone.
Common pairings
inner sanctum
private sanctum
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Word forms
- Plural
- sanctums, sancta
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The study was his _____, where nobody was allowed to disturb him.
Etymology
From Latin sanctum, "that which is holy."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sanctum” mean?
The word “sanctum” means a private or sacred place that others rarely enter. In plain terms, a private, personal space treated almost as sacred — somewhere you go to be left alone.
How do you pronounce “sanctum”?
“Sanctum” is pronounced SANGK-tuhm (/ˈsæŋktəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sanctum” in a sentence?
Here is “sanctum” used in a sentence: “The study was his sanctum, where nobody was allowed to disturb him.”
What part of speech is “sanctum”?
“Sanctum” is a noun.
Where does the word “sanctum” come from?
The word “sanctum” comes from Latin. From Latin sanctum, "that which is holy.".
