tabernacle
1 of 2noun
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 capitalized : a tent sanctuary used by the Israelites during the Exodus
b
archaic : a dwelling place
c
archaic : a temporary shelter : tent
tabernacular
ˌta-bər-ˈna-kyə-lər
adjective tabernacle
2 of 2verb
tabernacled; tabernacling ˈta-bər-ˌna-k(ə-)liŋ
intransitive verb
: to take up temporary residence
especially : to inhabit a physical body
Synonyms
Noun
- church
- kirk [chiefly Scottish]
- temple
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun worshippers gathering at the Baptist tabernacle on a bright Sunday morning
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 The Ryman Auditorium, a former tabernacle just steps from Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, still hosts performances but is best known today as a museum of American music history. Fox News, 31 Aug. 2022 According to a guidebook posted on the church’s website, the tabernacle was built in 1895 and restored in 1952 and 2000. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 The criminals cut the sacred tabernacle out of its protective housing. CBS News, 31 May 2022 Beside the difference of language, in the Latin Mass the priest faces away from the congregation and instead faces the tabernacle at the front of the church where the Eucharist is kept. William Wan, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 See More
Noun
Rows of pews were replaced by movable chairs, the altar was moved forward into the nave and the tabernacle was relocated to a side chapel. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 The Ryman Auditorium, a former tabernacle just steps from Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, still hosts performances but is best known today as a museum of American music history. Fox News, 31 Aug. 2022 According to a guidebook posted on the church’s website, the tabernacle was built in 1895 and restored in 1952 and 2000. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 The criminals cut the sacred tabernacle out of its protective housing. CBS News, 31 May 2022 Beside the difference of language, in the Latin Mass the priest faces away from the congregation and instead faces the tabernacle at the front of the church where the Eucharist is kept. William Wan, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 The tabernacle, a box containing Holy Communion items, was made of 18-carat gold and decorated with jewels, police and the diocese said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 Holy Eucharist, bread consecrated as the body of Christ, was taken from the tabernacle and thrown on the altar. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 31 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin tabernaculum, from Latin, tent, from taberna hut
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Verb
1653, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
tabernacle
noun
tab·er·na·cle ˈta-bər-ˌna-kəl
1
: a place of worship
2
often capitalized : a tent used as a place of worship by the ancient Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness with Moses
tabernacle
noun
as in church
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship worshippers gathering at the Baptist tabernacle on a bright Sunday morning Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- church
- temple
- chapel
- cathedral
- sanctuary
- shrine
- kirk
- synagogue
- abbey
- bethel
- meetinghouse
- mission
- minster
- mosque
- oratory
- synagog
- pagoda
- shul
