shrine

1 of 2

noun

ˈshrīn How to pronounce shrine (audio)
especially Southern ˈsrīn
Synonyms of shrinenext
1
a
: a case, box, or receptacle
especially : one in which sacred relics (such as the bones of a saint) are deposited
b
: a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity : sanctuary
c
: a niche containing a religious image
2
: a receptacle (such as a tomb) for the dead
3
: a place or object hallowed by its associations

shrine

2 of 2

verb

shrined; shrining

transitive verb

: enshrine

Synonyms of shrine

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of shrine in a Sentence

Noun the shrine of Saint Mary They erected a shrine to the saint. tourists visiting the shrines of American independence The writer's house has become a shrine to his fans.
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.
Noun
The current watchers of the shrine are Sgt. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026 In Iraq, pilgrims converge on the holy city of Karbala, site of the battle and home to a shrine to Hussein. — ABC News, 25 June 2026
Verb
In the video, the two grooms stand in front of a balloon arch and shrine for the rat hole. — Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024 Thousands of pilgrims on their way to shrine or lodged at the base camps in Pahalgam and Sonamarg were asked to return. — Riyaz Wani, Quartz India, 4 Aug. 2019 See All Example Sentences for shrine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English scrīn, from Latin scrinium case, chest

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrine was before the 12th century

Rhymes for shrine

See All Rhymes for shrine

Browse Nearby Words

shrimpy
shrine
Shriner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrine

noun
ˈshrīn
1
: a case or box for sacred relics (as the bones of a saint)
2
: a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity
a Buddhist shrine
3
: a place that is considered sacred
visited the shrines of American independence

More from Merriam-Webster on shrine

Nglish: Translation of shrine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shrine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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