# hallowed

/ˈhæɫoʊd/ (US) · /hˈæləʊd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hallowed
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. sacred or holy

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

holy or made sacred by a religious ceremony.

For teachers: consecrated or sanctified; regarded as holy and set apart for religious purposes.

- The monks walked quietly through the hallowed halls of the ancient monastery.
- The cathedral was built upon hallowed ground, where pilgrims had gathered for centuries to seek spiritual healing.

Usage: Often used to describe physical spaces like churches or cemeteries.

### 2. greatly respected

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

very respected because of its history or the famous people who were there.

For teachers: highly venerated or respected due to historical importance or traditional prestige.

- It was a dream come true to play on the hallowed turf of the stadium.
- The young lawyer felt a sense of awe as she entered the hallowed chambers of the Supreme Court.

Teaching tip: In modern secular contexts, this is frequently used to describe famous sports stadiums or prestigious universities.

## Examples

- The players walked onto the hallowed turf of the stadium.
- The university's hallowed halls have seen generations of world-class scholars pass through their doors.
- The ceremony was held in the hallowed silence of the ancient cathedral, where every whisper seemed to echo with the weight of centuries of tradition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.