tab·er·na·cle
ˈta-bər-ˌna-kəl 
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
3
a
often Tabernacle
: a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus
b
archaic
: a dwelling place
c
archaic
: a temporary shelter : tent
tabernacled; tabernacling
ˈta-bər-ˌna-k(ə-)liŋ
: to take up temporary residence
especially
: to inhabit a physical body
Examples of tabernacle in a Sentence
Noun
worshippers gathering at the Baptist tabernacle on a bright Sunday morning
Recent Examples on the Web
Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Among the damage is a smashed statue of The Virgin Mary, other religious artifacts, like the tabernacle that stores communion, and destroyed furniture.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Communion rails were removed, ramps up to the altar were added, and the tabernacle was moved behind the altar.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 23 Dec. 2025
André called his wardrobe his armor, his tabernacle and his sanctuary.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tabernacle
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Noun
Vandals broke into a Catholic school in Long Beach overnight Monday, stealing church items, damaging statues and tossing the tabernacle to the ground, according to police and school officials.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Among the damage is a smashed statue of The Virgin Mary, other religious artifacts, like the tabernacle that stores communion, and destroyed furniture.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Communion rails were removed, ramps up to the altar were added, and the tabernacle was moved behind the altar.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 23 Dec. 2025
André called his wardrobe his armor, his tabernacle and his sanctuary.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tabernacle
Cite this Entry
“Tabernacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tabernacle. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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