al‧tar /ˈɔːltə $ ˈɒːltər/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1000-1100; Language: Latin; Origin: altare]

1. a holy table or surface used in religious ceremonies:
a crucifix above the high altar (=the main altar in a church)
The victim was tied to a sacrificial altar.

2. the area furthest from the entrance of a church, where the priest or minister stands

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

altar
noun
ADJ. high, main | makeshift, portable | sacrificial
VERB + ALTAR approach, go up to The bride approached the altar.
ALTAR + NOUN boy | cloth, frontal | rail | table
PREP. at an/the ~ Helen and Tony knelt at the altar.
before an/the ~ He lay prostrate before the high altar.
on an/the ~ He placed the candles on the altar.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲