sanctity

noun

sanc·​ti·​ty ˈsaŋ(k)-tə-tē How to pronounce sanctity (audio)
plural sanctities
1
: holiness of life and character : godliness
2
a
: the quality or state of being holy or sacred : inviolability
b
sanctities plural : sacred objects, obligations, or rights

Examples of sanctity in a Sentence

the sanctity of the elderly nun shone through in her every word and gesture
Recent Examples on the Web These systems are violating the sanctity of the person. Frank H. McCourt Jr., Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 The risk Apple is highlighting is that by technical breaking the sanctity of end-to-end encryption, technology providers lose the primary defense against scope creep. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Here, Escola wields their catty-scary shtick as a bitter, alcoholic burlesque of Mary Todd Lincoln, complete with big black dress and dangling Civil War-era ringlets, who barges through doors in the White House and through national sanctities. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 These unauthorized drone activities pose a significant safety hazard to inmates, correctional staff, and guards, prompting authorities to seek innovative solutions to curtail such incidents and uphold the security and sanctity of correctional premises. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 This sanctity of space and time, free from interruptions, is crucial for deep work, where complex concepts can be explored and understood. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 Israeli soldiers even posed with an Israeli flag by the grave of a Jewish soldier buried there and another image posted to social media shows a tank sitting on the edge of the graveyard – respecting the sanctity of that hallowed ground. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2024 When Giovanni spoke about her defection – and later return – to Fisk University in her native Tennessee, the value and sanctity of radical Black spaces was reemphasized. Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan. 2024 While the 2024 election is several months away, Congress has been prioritizing the security and sanctity of the vote. Adam Marrè, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sanctity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English saunctite, from Anglo-French sainteté, from Latin sanctitat-, sanctitas, from sanctus sacred

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanctity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sanctity

Cite this Entry

“Sanctity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanctity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sanctity

noun
sanc·​ti·​ty ˈsaŋ(k)-tət-ē How to pronounce sanctity (audio)
plural sanctities
1
2
: the quality or state of being holy or sacred

More from Merriam-Webster on sanctity

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