frankincense
noun
frank·in·cense
ˈfraŋ-kən-ˌsen(t)s 
: a fragrant gum resin from trees of a genus (Boswellia of the family Burseraceae) of Somalia and southern coastal Arabia that is an important incense resin and has been used in religious rites, perfumery, and embalming
Examples of frankincense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Notes include Timur pepper, coriander/cilantro leaf, black tea, frankincense, violet, saffron, amber, patchouli and vanilla.
—
Marques Harper, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Chamomile, Indian frankincense, and wheatgrass juice are some other botanical treatments that research has found to be safe and possibly beneficial among people with IBD.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
Floral with a kick, this sophisticated scent features notes of rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, patchouli, frankincense, and sandalwood, with each 100ml bottle boasting 400 Turkish roses.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2023
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, none of which were probably of immediate use to the postpartum Mary or her infant.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2023
Addis Ababa combines frankincense, myrrh, milk, and honey to bring the Ethiopian capital alive, while Kingston features rum, grapefruit, and sweet pimento leaf to transport you to the beachy Jamaican paradise.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Dec. 2023
On our visit, the house cocktail (rum and vanilla with orange, lime and passion fruit juices) was interrupted by wafts of frankincense and clamor on the street below, where 100 men in black were carrying a Virgen through the night, the gilded figure flickering in the candlelight.
—Lisa Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023
Punt had it all—fragrant myrrh and frankincense, precious electrum (a mixed alloy of gold and silver) and malachite, and coveted leopard skins, among other exotic luxury goods.
—Miriam Fauzia, Ars Technica, 11 Nov. 2023
The warm scent of frankincense and myrrh is an inviting and familiar experience and one that will last for a long time.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2023
Marques Harper, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Chamomile, Indian frankincense, and wheatgrass juice are some other botanical treatments that research has found to be safe and possibly beneficial among people with IBD.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
Floral with a kick, this sophisticated scent features notes of rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, patchouli, frankincense, and sandalwood, with each 100ml bottle boasting 400 Turkish roses.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2023
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, none of which were probably of immediate use to the postpartum Mary or her infant.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2023
Addis Ababa combines frankincense, myrrh, milk, and honey to bring the Ethiopian capital alive, while Kingston features rum, grapefruit, and sweet pimento leaf to transport you to the beachy Jamaican paradise.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Dec. 2023
On our visit, the house cocktail (rum and vanilla with orange, lime and passion fruit juices) was interrupted by wafts of frankincense and clamor on the street below, where 100 men in black were carrying a Virgen through the night, the gilded figure flickering in the candlelight.
—Lisa Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023
Punt had it all—fragrant myrrh and frankincense, precious electrum (a mixed alloy of gold and silver) and malachite, and coveted leopard skins, among other exotic luxury goods.
—Miriam Fauzia, Ars Technica, 11 Nov. 2023
The warm scent of frankincense and myrrh is an inviting and familiar experience and one that will last for a long time.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frankincense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near frankincense
Cite this Entry
“Frankincense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frankincense. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frankincense
noun
frank·in·cense
ˈfraŋ-kən-ˌsen(t)s
: a fragrant gum resin from African or Arabian trees that is burned as incense
Medical Definition
frankincense
noun
frank·in·cense
ˈfraŋ-kən-ˌsen(t)s
: a fragrant gum resin from trees (genus Boswellia of the family Burseraceae) of Somalia and southern coastal Arabia that is an important incense resin and has been used in religious rites, perfumery, and embalming
called also olibanum
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