holy sepulchre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Religious, Literary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “holy sepulchre” mean?
A tomb or burial place, especially the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tomb or burial place, especially the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
Any church or shrine built over a saint's tomb; used figuratively to denote a place of sacred reverence or a monument commemorating a revered figure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in identical contexts. British English may be more likely to encounter it in historical and literary texts due to traditional Anglican and Commonwealth connections to the Levant.
Connotations
Both dialects associate it strongly with Christian history and archaeology. No significant connotative divergence.
Frequency
Extremely low in everyday speech for both, appearing almost exclusively in religious, historical, or travelogue contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “holy sepulchre” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun: the Holy Sepulchre][Adjective] + holy sepulchreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holy sepulchre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The saint was sepulchred within the ancient church.
- They sought to sepulchre the relics with due honour.
American English
- The relics were sepulchered in a grand monument.
- To sepulcher a king in such a manner was traditional.
adverb
British English
- The bell tolled sepulchrally across the moor.
- He spoke sepulchrally of the past.
American English
- The wind sounded sepulchrally through the ruins.
- Her words echoed sepulchrally in the hall.
adjective
British English
- The sepulchral silence of the old chapel was profound.
- His voice had a sepulchral tone.
American English
- The cavern had a sepulchral atmosphere.
- A sepulchral monument marked the spot.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, archaeology, history, and art history disciplines.
Everyday
Rarely used outside specific religious discussion or travel contexts.
Technical
Used in ecclesiastical architecture and historical geography.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy sepulchre”
- Misspelling as 'sepulcher' (US) or 'sepulchre' (UK) – both are correct but regionally typical.
- Using it as a common noun without capitalisation when referring to the specific site in Jerusalem.
- Pronouncing the final 're' in 'sepulchre' as a separate syllable in American English (it is silent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It refers specifically to the tomb of Jesus Christ and is a central site in Christianity. However, it is also a significant historical and archaeological site studied by scholars of various backgrounds.
'Sepulchre' is an older, more literary and formal word for a burial chamber or tomb, often implying a stone structure and a certain grandeur. 'Tomb' is the standard modern term.
'Sepulchre' is the traditional British English spelling, preserving the French/Latin '-re' ending. 'Sepulcher' is the standard American English spelling, simplified to '-er'. Both are correct within their respective dialects.
Yes, but it is less common. It can refer generically to a saint's tomb or a church built over a sacred burial site. However, when capitalised as 'the Holy Sepulchre', it almost always refers to the site in Jerusalem.
A tomb or burial place, especially the tomb of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
Holy sepulchre is usually formal, religious, literary, historical in register.
Holy sepulchre: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˈsɛpəlkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˈsɛpəlkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms; the term itself is used as a referent.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Holy' + 'sepulchre' (a tomb). It's the holy tomb in Jerusalem.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER FOR SACREDNESS (the tomb contains sacred history/remains). A MONUMENT TO FAITH.
Practice
Quiz
In which city is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre located?