tabernacle

noun

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tab·er·na·cle | \ ˈta-bər-ˌna-kəl

Definition of tabernacle

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a house of worship specifically : a large building or tent used for evangelistic services

2 : a receptacle for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist especially : an ornamental locked box used for reserving the Communion hosts

3a often capitalized : a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus

b archaic : a dwelling place

c archaic : a temporary shelter : tent

tabernacle

verb

tabernacled; tabernacling\ ˈta-bər-ˌna-k(ə-)liŋ

Definition of tabernacle (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to take up temporary residence especially : to inhabit a physical body

Other Words from tabernacle Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tabernacle

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Synonyms for tabernacle

Synonyms: Noun

church,
kirk
[chiefly Scottish],
temple

Examples of tabernacle in a Sentence

Noun worshippers gathering at the Baptist tabernacle on a bright Sunday morning

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The old tabernacle turned temple is still the focal point of downtown. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Memories linger a decade after the huge Provo Tabernacle fire," 21 Dec. 2020 For comparison's sake: This is the same bible that included my Torah portion, Bamidbar, which was literally just about counting tribes around a sacred tabernacle. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, "Hanukkah 2020: When it is and what to know (no, it's not the 'Jewish Christmas')," 10 Dec. 2020 For comparison's sake: This is the same bible that included my Torah portion, Bamidbar, which was literally just about counting tribes around a sacred tabernacle. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, "Hanukkah 2020: When it is and what to know (no, it's not the 'Jewish Christmas')," 10 Dec. 2020 For comparison's sake: This is the same bible that included my Torah portion, Bamidbar, which was literally just about counting tribes around a sacred tabernacle. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, "Hanukkah 2020: When it is and what to know (no, it's not the 'Jewish Christmas')," 10 Dec. 2020 For comparison's sake: This is the same bible that included my Torah portion, Bamidbar, which was literally just about counting tribes around a sacred tabernacle. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, "Hanukkah 2020: When it is and what to know (no, it's not the 'Jewish Christmas')," 10 Dec. 2020 Father Lawrence placed the 40 books of the Bible on a church altar surrounding the tabernacle. — Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Rev. Richard T. Lawrence, former St. Vincent de Paul pastor and advocate for the poor, dies," 28 Nov. 2020 The service was outdoors, of course, in a small open-sided tabernacle built here in the Adirondacks, along the banks of the upper Hudson, in 1908, to serve a Methodist campground where congregations began meeting in 1871. — Bill Mckibben, The New Yorker, "Back to Church—But Not, Let’s Hope, Back to Normal," 6 July 2020 Sidney Harman Hall has been transformed by director Whitney White and her designers into the Harlem storefront tabernacle from which Sister Margaret Alexander — in the person of a riveting Mia Ellis — guides her restive flock. — Washington Post, "12 things to do in the D.C. area this weekend," 12 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tabernacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.