noun
Common
shrine
shryn
Shrine (noun) means a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure. Example: “Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain shrine.”
noun
1
A place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure.
"Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain shrine."
2
A collection of items honoring someone or something, arranged with reverence.
"Fans built a small shrine of flowers and photos outside the singer's old house."
verb
1
To enshrine; to treat with reverence, as if placing in a shrine.
"Her achievements are shrined in the museum's permanent collection."
How to use shrine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sacred place or memorial, or a tribute display honoring someone.
Common pairings
roadside shrine
sacred shrine
build a shrine
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Word forms
- Plural
- shrines
- Third person singular
- shrines
- Past tense
- shrined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain _____.
Etymology
From Old English scrin, from Latin scrinium ("a case for books or papers"), later narrowed to mean a container for sacred relics.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shrine
See all rhymes for shrine →Frequently asked questions
What does “shrine” mean?
The word “shrine” means a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure. In plain terms, a sacred place or memorial, or a tribute display honoring someone.
How do you pronounce “shrine”?
“Shrine” is pronounced shryn (/ʃɹaɪ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “shrine” in a sentence?
Here is “shrine” used in a sentence: “Pilgrims travel for miles to visit the mountain shrine.”
What part of speech is “shrine”?
Depending on how it is used, “shrine” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shrine” come from?
The word “shrine” comes from Latin. From Old English scrin, from Latin scrinium ("a case for books or papers"), later narrowed to mean a container for sacred relics.
Is “shrine” a common word?
“Shrine” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shrine” have?
“Shrine” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure.
What is the difference between a shrine and a temple?
A shrine is a place considered sacred and dedicated to a deity, saint, or revered figure, and it can be small and personal, while a temple is typically a larger, formal building for worship. A shrine can exist inside a temple, in a home, or at a roadside, whereas a temple is usually a dedicated structure.
Can "shrine" refer to something that isn't religious?
Yes, "shrine" can also describe a collection of items honoring someone or something, arranged with reverence, such as a fan's shrine to a celebrity or a memorial shrine for a loved one. This use does not require religious significance.
What does it mean to "shrine" something?
As a verb, to "shrine" something means to enshrine it, treating it with reverence as if it were placed in a shrine. This usage is less common than the noun form but appears in formal or literary writing.
