Mecca
[ mek-uh ]
/ ˈmɛk ə /
noun
OTHER WORDS FROM Mecca
Mec·can, adjective, nounDefinition for mecca (2 of 2)
Hijaz
or He·djaz, He·jaz
[ hee-jaz; Arabic hee-zhahz ]
/ hiˈdʒæz; Arabic hiˈʒɑz /
noun
a region in Saudi Arabia bordering on the Red Sea, formerly an independent kingdom: contains the Islamic holy cities of Medina and Mecca. About 150,000 sq. mi. (388,500 sq. km). Capital: Mecca.
Example sentences from the Web for mecca
British Dictionary definitions for mecca (1 of 2)
Mecca
Mekka
/ (ˈmɛkə) /
noun
a city in W Saudi Arabia, joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia: birthplace of Mohammed; the holiest city of Islam, containing the Kaaba. Pop: 1 529 000 (2005 est)
Arabic name: Makkah
(sometimes not capital)
a place that attracts many visitors
Athens is a Mecca for tourists
British Dictionary definitions for mecca (2 of 2)
Cultural definitions for mecca (1 of 2)
Mecca
The birthplace of Muhammad, and thus the holiest city for Muslims. Muslims face in the direction of Mecca when they pray, and they are expected to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives. Mecca is in present-day Saudi Arabia.
notes for Mecca
Figuratively, a “mecca” is any place that attracts a great many people, especially for a particular reason: “Vail is a mecca for skiers.”
Cultural definitions for mecca (2 of 2)
notes for Mecca
notes for Mecca
A “mecca” is a place that attracts people: “
Hollywood is a mecca for would-be actors and actresses.”