sanctity

[ sangk-ti-tee ]

noun

, plural sanc·ti·ties.

1. holiness, saintliness, or godliness.
2. sacred or hallowed character:

   the inviolable sanctity of the temple.

3. a sacred thing.

sanctity

/ ˈsæŋktɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of being sanctified; holiness
2. anything regarded as sanctified or holy
3. the condition of being inviolable; sacredness

   the sanctity of marriage

Other Words From

• non·sancti·ty noun plural nonsanctities
• un·sancti·ty noun plural unsanctities

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctity¹

1350–1400; < Latin sānctitās holiness, equivalent to sānct- ( Sanctus ) + -itās -ity; replacing Middle English sauntite < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanctity¹

C14: from Old French saincteté, from Latin sanctitās, from sanctus holy

Idioms and Phrases

see odor of sanctity .

Example Sentences

Trump’s novice Defense secretary pick and report of a planned ‘warrior board’ fuel concerns in some circles over the sanctity of the military’s apolitical traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Listing them demonstrates that comics, especially venerated personalities like Stewart, tend to land on the side of fellow comics most of the time and the comedy’s sanctity almost all the time.

From Salon

"It's not that I don't believe in the sanctity of marriage, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. You just have to let people go."

From Salon

But they also worry that any delay will feed the growing skepticism many Americans have about the sanctity of the nation’s electoral process.

From Los Angeles Times

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also said she will not support the proposals because of her "unshakeable belief in the sanctity and the value of human life".

From BBC

Related Words

• divinity
• faith
• inviolability
• purity
• righteousness
• solemnity
• spirituality