sanctuary
gb/sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/ us/sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
B2
English
~ 6700
menedék, természetvédelmi terület, rezervátum, védett terület, állatmenhely, menedékjog, szentély, presbitérium
NOUN
B2
1
menedék
B1
Usage pattern:
sanctuary for [someone/something]
During the storm, the school gym became a sanctuary for local families.
For her, the library was a sanctuary from the noise of the city.
Online support groups can offer sanctuary to people dealing with grief.
He fled his abusive home and found sanctuary with a distant relative.
The garden is my sanctuary at the end of a long day.
Learner examples
The hotel was a sanctuary after our long, hard trip.
His small room is a sanctuary where he can relax and be alone.
Many people look for sanctuary in music when they feel sad.
The village church became a sanctuary for people during the war.
Her friends' house gave her sanctuary when she had nowhere to go.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *sanctuary* only for religious places. In modern English it is very common to use it for any safe place or peaceful situation, including emotional or mental escape (e.g., 'a sanctuary from stress').
Meaning
a safe place or refuge
Collocations
seek sanctuary
|find sanctuary
|offer sanctuary
|a place of sanctuary
|flee to sanctuary
|provide sanctuary
Synonyms
refuge (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in formal or serious contexts, especially about war or persecution.)
|
haven (Emphasizes comfort and peace as well as safety, often used for emotional or mental escape.)
Antonyms
danger (Represents a situation where someone is not safe, which is the opposite of sanctuary.)
|
exposure (Suggests being unprotected from harm or stress, the reverse of being sheltered in a sanctuary.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
A place or situation where a person feels safe and protected from danger or problems.
A place or situation where someone is protected from danger, trouble, or emotional stress.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a sanctuary for [animals/birds]
The government created a new wildlife sanctuary to protect endangered elephants.
A kormány új vadrezervátumot hozott létre a veszélyeztetett elefántok védelmére.
Volunteers work at the animal sanctuary caring for rescued farm animals.
Önkéntesek dolgoznak az állatmenhelyen, ahol megmentett haszonállatokat gondoznak.
This lake is a sanctuary for many species of migratory birds.
Developers are not allowed to build inside the nature sanctuary.
The island has become a sanctuary where turtles can lay their eggs safely.
Learner examples
We visited a bird sanctuary on our holiday.
A nyaralásunk alatt meglátogattunk egy madárrezervátumot.
The city built a small animal sanctuary in the park.
A város egy kis állatmenhelyet létesített a parkban.
Lions in this sanctuary are not used for hunting or shows.
The forest is now a sanctuary for many wild animals.
She works at a sanctuary that saves sick dogs and cats.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *sanctuary* with *zoo*. A zoo shows animals to the public, often in cages; a sanctuary mainly protects animals and tries to give them a more natural, safe life.
Meaning
protected area for animals
Collocations
wildlife sanctuary
|bird sanctuary
|animal sanctuary
|nature sanctuary
|designated sanctuary
Synonyms
reserve (Often used in environmental and government contexts; slightly more technical and less emotional than 'sanctuary'.)
|
refuge (Emphasizes safety for animals, but does not always imply a clearly marked or officially protected area.)
Antonyms
hunting ground (A place where animals are deliberately hunted, the opposite of a place where they are protected.)
Themes
nature
|environment
|animals
Definition
A special place where wild animals or birds can live safely and people cannot hunt or hurt them.
An area where animals, birds, or other wildlife are protected and allowed to live safely, especially from hunting or destruction of their habitat.
NOUN
C1
3
menedékjog
C1
menedék
B1
Usage pattern:
to seek sanctuary from [authorities/persecution]
The church offered sanctuary to the family facing deportation.
A templom menedéket nyújtott a kitoloncolás előtt álló családnak.
Several cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants.
Több város is menedékvárossá nyilvánította magát az okmányok nélküli bevándorlók számára.
In medieval times, criminals could claim sanctuary by reaching certain churches.
The embassy provided sanctuary to the journalist until a deal was reached.
Activists demanded sanctuary for refugees fleeing the conflict.
Learner examples
They asked the church for sanctuary from the police.
Menedéket kértek a templomtól a rendőrség elől.
The town became a sanctuary for people without legal papers.
A város menedékvárossá vált a hivatalos papírok nélkül élő emberek számára.
In the past, some people ran to a church to get sanctuary.
The government refused to give sanctuary to the soldiers.
She hopes to find sanctuary in another country.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *sanctuary* instead of the more common legal word *asylum* in phrases like *apply for asylum*. *Sanctuary* is more often used about places (a church, a city) that protect people, rather than about official applications or legal status.
Meaning
legal or official protection
Collocations
seek sanctuary
|grant sanctuary
|offer sanctuary
|sanctuary city
|church sanctuary
Synonyms
asylum (A formal legal term, especially about protection in another country; often used in phrases like 'political asylum'.)
|
safe haven (Less formal; used in news and politics for places that protect people from authorities or violence.)
Antonyms
extradition (The act of sending a person back to another country or area for trial; the opposite of letting them stay under protection.)
|
prosecution (Officially trying to prove someone committed a crime, which sanctuary aims to prevent or delay.)
Themes
law
|politics
|society
Definition
Protection that stops the police or government from taking or sending a person away when that person is in a certain place.
Legal or official protection given to someone, especially to prevent their arrest, punishment, or deportation within a particular place.
NOUN
B2
4
szentély
B2
Usage pattern:
the sanctuary of [a temple/church]
Pilgrims slowly entered the sanctuary of the ancient temple.
A zarándokok lassan beléptek az ősi templom szentélyébe.
The sanctuary was lit by hundreds of small candles.
A szentélyt több száz apró gyertya világította meg.
Only priests were allowed into the inner sanctuary of the shrine.
The earthquake badly damaged the sanctuary at the top of the hill.
Silence is requested inside the sanctuary during services.
Learner examples
They walked into the sanctuary to pray.
Bementek a szentélybe imádkozni.
The sanctuary of the temple was full of flowers.
A templom szentélye tele volt virágokkal.
In this religion, only monks may enter the sanctuary.
People left gifts in the sanctuary for their god.
The sanctuary is the most holy part of the building.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this religious sense with the general 'safe place' sense. In religious contexts, *sanctuary* focuses on holiness and worship, not just safety or comfort.
Meaning
holy place for worship
Collocations
holy sanctuary
|temple sanctuary
|inner sanctuary
|ancient sanctuary
|religious sanctuary
Synonyms
shrine (Emphasizes a holy place linked to a person, god, or event; often smaller and more specific than 'sanctuary'.)
|
holy place (A broad everyday expression for any place treated as sacred.)
Antonyms
secular space (A place with no religious function or sacred status, the opposite of a holy sanctuary.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
A special, holy place where people pray or worship in a religion.
A holy place used for religious worship, such as a part of a temple, church, or other religious building that is considered especially sacred.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
szentély
B2
presbitérium
C2
Usage pattern:
in the sanctuary of [a church]
The choir stood in the sanctuary while the congregation remained in the nave.
A kórus a szentélyben állt, míg a gyülekezet a templomhajóban maradt.
Fresh flowers decorated the sanctuary before the wedding ceremony.
Az esküvői szertartás előtt friss virágokkal díszítették fel a szentélyt.
Only the priest and altar servers entered the sanctuary during the mass.
The old wooden steps leading up to the sanctuary creaked loudly.
The children were asked not to run in the sanctuary of the church.
Learner examples
The priest walked up to the sanctuary and began to speak.
A pap felment a szentélybe, és beszélni kezdett.
There are many candles in the sanctuary of this church.
Ebben a templomban sok gyertya van a szentélyben.
The choir sings from the sanctuary every Sunday.
Visitors may sit in the nave but not go into the sanctuary.
They cleaned the sanctuary before the big service.
Common mistake:
Some learners think *sanctuary* always means the whole church building. In church vocabulary, it can mean specifically the raised front area around the altar, separate from where the people sit.
Meaning
area around altar in church
Collocations
church sanctuary
|altar in the sanctuary
|choir in the sanctuary
|step into the sanctuary
|clean the sanctuary
Synonyms
chancel (A more technical architectural term for the area around the altar; used mainly in church architecture and liturgical descriptions.)
Antonyms
nave (The main part of a church where the congregation sits, contrasting with the sanctuary at the front.)
Themes
religion
|architecture
Definition
The front part of a Christian church, near the altar, where the priest and choir stand.
The area at the front of a Christian church, around or near the altar, that is usually slightly raised and reserved for clergy, choir, or other officials.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sanctuary
IPA
GB/sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
US/sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
sanc - tu - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sanc)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sanctuary
- Plural: sanctuaries, sanctuary
Word family
Expressions
animal sanctuary
1/ˈænəməl sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
care facility for rescued animals
A place that takes care of animals that are sick, old, or have no home, and protects them from harm.
Examples
- She volunteers at an animal sanctuary on weekends.
- The farm was turned into an animal sanctuary for retired horses.
bird sanctuary
1/bˈɚd sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
protected area for birds
A place where birds can live safely and people cannot hunt them or destroy their homes.
Examples
- The island has been turned into a bird sanctuary.
- We saw many rare species at the coastal bird sanctuary.
find sanctuary in
1/fˈaɪnd sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
feel safe or calm thanks to something
To feel safe, calm, or protected because of a place, activity, or person.
Examples
- He finds sanctuary in painting when life becomes stressful.
- Many people find sanctuary in nature during difficult times.
- After the accident, she found sanctuary in her daily routine.
give sanctuary
1/ɡˈɪv sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
allow protected stay from authorities
To let someone stay in a place so that the police or other authorities cannot easily take them.
Examples
- The embassy gave sanctuary to the activists for several months.
- Some churches give sanctuary to people who fear deportation.
- Villagers risked punishment to give sanctuary to the soldiers who had deserted.
offer sanctuary
1/ˈɔfɚ sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
give someone a safe place
To give someone a place where they will be safe and protected.
Examples
- Local families offered sanctuary to people who lost their homes in the fire.
- The organization offers sanctuary to survivors of domestic violence.
- The small island nation offered sanctuary to climate refugees.
sanctuary city
1/sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi sˈɪti/
fixed phrase
city limiting immigration enforcement cooperation
A city where local government chooses not to fully help national immigration police, in order to protect some people who do not have legal immigration status.
Examples
- The mayor announced that her city would become a sanctuary city.
- Debates over sanctuary cities have become a major political issue.
- Critics argue that sanctuary cities make it harder to enforce immigration laws.
seek sanctuary
1/sˈik sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
try to find safety or refuge
To look for a place where you will be safe from danger, problems, or people who want to harm you.
Examples
- Hundreds of villagers sought sanctuary in the school when the fighting began.
- Journalists who were threatened sought sanctuary in a neighboring country.
- She sought sanctuary with relatives after leaving her abusive partner.
wildlife sanctuary
1/wˈaɪldlˌaɪf sˈæŋkt͡ʃuˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
protected area for wild animals
A large natural place where wild animals are protected and people cannot hunt them or build houses there.
Examples
- We visited a wildlife sanctuary on our trip to Africa.
- The new law will expand the wildlife sanctuary to include more forest.
- Tourism helps pay for the wildlife sanctuary's conservation work.