1. The inner chamber or sanctuary of a classical Greek or Roman temple, housing the statue of a deity.
Usage: architecture; classical antiquity
2. A small room or cell, especially in a monastery or convent.
Usage: historical; religious contexts

Examples

• The cella of the Parthenon once contained a massive gold and ivory statue of Athena.
• Archaeologists studied the cella to understand how ancient Greeks worshipped their gods.
• The temple's cella was accessible only to priests during sacred rituals.
• Medieval monks retreated to their individual cellas for prayer and study.
• The cella represented the most sacred space within the temple complex.