sanctity

/ˈsæŋ(k)tədi/

/ˈseɪŋktɪti/

Other forms: sanctities

Sanctity describes something that is holy, like the sanctity of religious objects to believers.

Sanctity goes back to the Latin root sanctus, meaning "holy" or "sacred." A synonym for sanctity is godliness and most religions describe God as completely holy. Sanctity also can describe sacred obligation or rights — you may have heard of the sanctity of marriage, meaning the value and respect society shows to married people.

Definitions of sanctity

1. noun

   the quality of being holy
   synonyms: holiness, sanctitude

   types:

   sacredness

   the quality of being sacred

   holy of holies

   (figurative) something regarded as sacred or inviolable

   type of:

   quality

   an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone