mecca

Everyday

1. Mecca (also spelled Makkah) is the holiest city of Islam, in Saudi Arabia; it is where the Prophet Muhammad was born and where Muslims go on the hajj. tree →
2. Muslims everywhere face towards Mecca when they pray. tree →
3. (a mecca, lower case) A place that many people with the same interest love to visit: «Paris is a mecca for artists.» tree →

In the lessons

In religion lessons Mecca is the centre of Islam, with the Kaaba in the Great Mosque. In everyday speech «a mecca for…» means a favourite place for a group. Phrases: «face Mecca», «pilgrimage to Mecca», «a mecca for».

Examples

• Muslims face towards Mecca when they pray. tree →
• Millions travel to Mecca for the hajj. tree →
• The Kaaba stands in the middle of the Great Mosque in Mecca. tree →
• The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca. tree →
• That shop is a mecca for comic fans. tree →
• The beach town is a mecca for surfers. tree →
• A few days later, Ali Cogia mounted the camel that he had laden with merchandise, joined the caravan, and arrived in due time at Mecca. tree →

Note

Capital M for the city. Some Muslims prefer the name Makkah, and some dislike the casual use «a mecca for…», so use it with care. Pronounced MEK-a.