mecca
n. countablen. a place that many people want to visit because it is famous for a specific activity or interest. It is often used to describe a city or shop that is the best of its kind.
n. a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest. When used in this secular sense, it is frequently written with a lowercase 'm' and functions as a destination for enthusiasts.
The city is a mecca for food lovers.
During the summer months, the coastal town becomes a mecca for surfers looking for the perfect wave.
Silicon Valley remains a global mecca for software engineers, attracting the most ambitious minds in the industry with the promise of venture capital and high-stakes innovation.
From Arabic مَكَّة (Makka) of uncertain etymology. In American place names, in reference to the Arabian city.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often followed by the preposition 'for' to specify the group or activity.
Last updated May 6, 2026