# sanctum

/ˈsæŋktəm/ (US) · /sˈɑːnktəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sanctum
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a private, holy, or very special place. You use this word for a room or area that is kept secret or treated with great respect.

For teachers: a sacred or private place, often one that is inaccessible to the public. Frequently used in the plural to describe the innermost parts of an organization or a person's private life.

## Examples

- The library was his private sanctum where he worked every day.
- The CEO's office was a sanctum of silence, where no phone calls were ever answered.
- The temple's inner sanctum was reserved for the high priests, who alone were permitted to perform the rituals required to maintain the city's spiritual balance.

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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.