mecca

noun

mec·​ca ˈme-kə How to pronounce mecca (audio)
often capitalized
Synonyms of meccanext
: a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest
a mecca for shoppers

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of mecca in a Sentence

The valley is a mecca for wine lovers. The town has become a mecca for tourists.
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.
While snow in Phoenix doesn't compare to the blizzards and winter storms that places like Flagstaff or Pinetop-Lakeside experience, the desert mecca can still see the occasional snowflakes falling from the sky. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024 For powersports fans, Glamis Imperial Sand Dunes is the mecca of off-roading in the Southwest. —Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Those who love thrifting will also find the city a mecca for preloved vintage goods. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024 The Detroit museum has been a mecca for everyone from Snoop Dogg to Metallica. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mecca 

Word History

Etymology

Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a destination of pilgrims in the Islamic world

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mecca was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near mecca

mecate

mecca

Mecca

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mecca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mecca. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mecca

noun
mec·​ca ˈmek-ə How to pronounce mecca (audio)
often capitalized
: a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest
a mecca for tourists
Etymology

named for Mecca, city in Arabia, the birthplace of Muhammad and the goal of Muslim pilgrimages

Geographical Definition

Mecca

geographical name

Mec·​ca ˈme-kə How to pronounce Mecca (audio)
variants or Arabic Makkah
ˈmä-kə How to pronounce Mecca (audio)
holy city in western Saudi Arabia population 1,294,106

Note: Mecca is the chief pilgrimage destination for Muslims and the capital of Hejaz.

Meccan
ˈme-kən How to pronounce Mecca (audio)
adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mecca

Britannica English: Translation of mecca for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mecca

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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