chancel

Plural: chancels

Noun

• The part of a church around the altar, reserved for clergy.
• area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing
• The space around the altar in a church, often enclosed, for use by the clergy and the choir. In medieval cathedrals the chancel was usually enclosed or blocked off from the nave by an altar screen.

Examples

• He placed CHANCEL, creating a sacred space for high-scoring words on the board.

Synonyms

bema, sanctuary, apse, presbytery

Related Words

chancellery