What does temple mean?
Temple most commonly means a building or complex of buildings used for religious worship, such as the temples of classical Greece, India, or Southeast Asia. It is also the name of the flat region on each side of the forehead, where the head narrows toward the cheek; in this anatomical sense, the usual plural is temples. In some English usage, the definite term the Temple refers to the ancient Jewish temples in Jerusalem. As a general noun, temple conveys a sense of permanence, reverence, and sacred purpose, often suggesting a place where a religious tradition has been maintained over time. It can therefore describe either an active place of worship or the remains of an important historical sanctuary. The word is used in both British and American English, though its associations extend beyond any single religion.
nounA building or group of buildings used for religious worship, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition. It can also refer to the flat area on either side of the forehead, at the side of the head.
- A building, or group of buildings, used for religious worship, especially one associated with a particular religion or cultural tradition.
- The flat area on either side of the forehead, at the side of the head.
- Either of the two ancient Jewish temples in Jerusalem, especially when referred to as the Temple.
"The ancient temple stood at the center of the city, surrounded by gardens and a sacred pool."
"The temple was built in the 11th century and remains a place of active worship."
"She felt a sharp pain at her temple after the accident."
The plural is standard for both the religious-building sense and the anatomical sense, although anatomical temples is especially common.
"The two temples of the head are located in front of and above each ear."
The word temple comes from a Latin word for a marked-out place of sacred ground, so it has always carried the idea of a space set apart for worship.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of temple
The English word comes through Old French temple from Latin templum, a word for a marked-out piece of ground and later a sanctuary or religious building. The Latin noun underlies related forms such as contemplate, contemplation, and contemplative, where it appears within larger Latin formations concerned with looking upon or reflecting upon something.
How temple is actually used
For the anatomical sense, the plural temples is much more common than the singular temple. In religious contexts, the word can refer broadly to many traditions, while the definite form the Temple usually refers to the ancient Jewish temples in Jerusalem.