Meaning & use
sanctuaries
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“sanctuaries” is a form of “sanctuary”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
Safe places where people or animals are protected from danger, harm, or pursuit.
Grammar: The plural of 'sanctuary'; use a plural verb: 'The sanctuaries are open to visitors.'
Patterns
- sanctuaries for someone
- sanctuaries for something
- a network of sanctuaries
The city opened several sanctuaries for families fleeing the floods.
These forests are sanctuaries for endangered birds.
The old church became one of many sanctuaries for people in need.
nouncountablereligion
Holy places, especially the most sacred part of a church or temple where the altar stands.
Grammar: Often plural when talking about more than one building or area: 'the sanctuaries of the old cathedrals'.
Patterns
- the sanctuaries of a temple
- ancient sanctuaries
Pilgrims walked slowly through the sanctuaries of the temple.
The guide explained how the sanctuaries were used for private prayer.
Candles burned in the sanctuaries of the old churches.
nouncountablelegal
Places that provide legal protection to people who have fled their own country.
Grammar: Usually appears in official or legal contexts, often with 'provide' or 'seek'.
Patterns
- provide sanctuaries
- seek sanctuary
Several countries promised to act as sanctuaries for refugees.
The law allows churches to serve as sanctuaries in some cases.
Rights groups called for more sanctuaries along the border.
Word forms
| singular | sanctuary |
|---|
Common combinations
- wildlife sanctuaries
- Kenya has many wildlife sanctuaries that protect elephants.
- bird sanctuaries
- The lake is ringed by bird sanctuaries.
- provide sanctuary
- The organization provides sanctuary for abused pets.
- seek sanctuary
- Hundreds came to seek sanctuary in the capital.
- a sanctuary for
- The garden is a sanctuary for tired city workers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- refuges
- Similar in meaning, but 'refuge' often suggests a temporary shelter from immediate danger, while a 'sanctuary' can be a permanent protected place.
- havens
- A more literary word for safe, peaceful places; 'sanctuary' is the everyday choice for protected areas and religious spaces.
- reserves
- Used for protected land for animals, but 'reserves' does not carry the religious or legal meanings that 'sanctuary' has.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: sanctuaries or cemeteries? sanctuaries or sanctums?
sanctuaries vs cemeteries
Both are quiet places, but a cemetery is where the dead are buried, while a sanctuary is a place of safety or worship.
sanctuaries vs sanctums
A sanctum is a single private or holy room; sanctuaries are usually whole buildings or protected areas.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'sanctuaries' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Sanctuaries' is a plural noun meaning protected places, so 'Wildlife sanctuaries protect animals' fits. Option 1 uses a singular verb with a plural noun, option 3 uses it as a verb (which it is not), and option 4 confuses it with a food item such as 'sandwiches'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sanctuaries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.