sanctuary

A sanctuary is a place that's safe and protected from harm or trouble. You can also think of it as a refuge.

When people talk about a sanctuary, they usually mean a physical space like an animal shelter, a nature reserve, or even a peaceful garden. But sometimes the word "sanctuary" refers to an emotional or spiritual state - a feeling of being in a safe and calm environment, no matter where you are. For example, someone might say that their home is their sanctuary because it's a place where they can relax and feel protected from stress. In this sense, the word "sanctuary" emphasizes the idea of refuge and protection.

It's worth noting that as a verb, to sanctify or make something a sanctuary means to declare or treat something with special respect, care, or protection. This can be seen in phrases like "declare a city a sanctuary" where authorities try to protect immigrants from being deported by designating an area as safe from law enforcement interference.