mecca
Noun: 1. A place that attracts many people, especially for a particular reason or activity: A center of activity that draws large numbers of visitors, adherents, or enthusiasts. 2. Mecca (proper noun): The holiest city of Islam, located in western Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, toward which Muslims pray.
- Noun (figurative):
- Silicon Valley is a mecca for tech entrepreneurs and innovators.
- The small coastal town has become a mecca for surfers from around the world.
- Proper Noun (literal):
- Every Muslim who is able is required to make a pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
- The city of Mecca is closed to non-Muslims.
- "a mecca for [group of people/activity]": This is the standard collocation for the figurative sense.
- The festival has turned the village into a mecca for food lovers.
- Used attributively (as a modifier before another noun):
- The store achieved mecca status among vintage collectors.
- Meccan (adjective): Relating to the city of Mecca.
- The Meccan pilgrims gathered for the Hajj.
- Meccan (noun): A native or inhabitant of Mecca.
- Hub: A center of activity or interest.
- Magnet: Something that attracts.
- Pilgrimage site: A place of religious journey (for the literal sense).
- Epicenter: The central point of something.
The word has two distinct but related uses: 1. The Figurative Sense (lowercase 'm'): This is the most common usage in general English. It describes any place that is a very popular destination for people sharing a common interest. It implies a journey or travel to that place. 2. The Literal Sense (capital 'M'): This refers specifically to the Islamic holy city. The figurative meaning derives from the fact that Mecca is the ultimate destination for Muslim pilgrims.
- a place that attracts many visitors
- New York is a mecca for young artists
- joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia; located in western Saudi Arabia; as the birthplace of Muhammad it is the holiest city of Islam