Desecration refers to the act of treating a sacred place, object, or concept with disrespect, irreverence, or contempt. In law, desecration involves intentionally defacing, damaging, or physically mistreating a public monument, structure, place of worship, burial site, or any private structure not owned by the offender. Such actions violate the sanctity or sacredness of something considered holy or highly respected by a group or individual.
See: 18 U.S. Code ยง 700 - Desecration of the flag of the United States; penalties, and the U.S. Supreme Court case Texas, Petitioner v. Gregory Lee Johnson
[Last updated in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]