holy city

noun

: a city that is the center of religious worship and traditions

Examples of holy city in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elsewhere, senior leadership from Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark defense agreement in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, as regional strikes flare. — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The agreement was signed in the Saudi holy city of Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived Monday in Iraq’s holy city of Najaf to participate in the Arbaeen commemorations, an annual pilgrimage for Shiite Muslims, his office said on social media. — Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Every year, millions of pilgrims walk from the deserts of southern Iraq to the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world. — Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for holy city

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holy city was in the 14th century

Rhymes for holy city

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Browse Nearby Words

holy cats
holy city
holy clover
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Cite this Entry

“Holy city.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy%20city. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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