tabernacle

American  

[tab-er-nak-uhl] / ˈtæb ərˌnæk əl /

noun

1. any place or house of worship, especially one designed for a large congregation.

2. (often initial capital letter) the portable sanctuary in use by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt to the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon. Exodus 25–27.

3. Ecclesiastical. an ornamental receptacle for the reserved Eucharist, now generally found on the altar.

4. a canopied niche or recess, as for an image or icon.

5. a temporary dwelling or shelter, as a tent or hut.

6. a dwelling place.

7. the human body as the temporary abode of the soul.

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verb (used with or without object)

tabernacled, tabernacling

1. to place or dwell in, or as if in, a tabernacle.

tabernacle British  

/ ˈtæbəˌnækəl /

noun

1. (often capital) Old Testament

   1. the portable sanctuary in the form of a tent in which the ancient Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25–27)

   2. the Jewish Temple regarded as the shrine of the divine presence

2. Judaism an English word for sukkah

3. a meeting place for worship used by Mormons or Nonconformists

4. a small ornamented cupboard or box used for the reserved sacrament of the Eucharist

5. the human body regarded as the temporary dwelling of the soul

6. RC Church a canopied niche or recess forming the shrine of a statue

7. nautical a strong framework for holding the foot of a mast stepped on deck, allowing it to be swung down horizontally to pass under low bridges, etc

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Other Word Forms

• tabernacular adjective
• untabernacled adjective

Etymology

Origin of tabernacle

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Late Latin tabernāculum “tent,” equivalent to tabern(a) “hut, stall, inn” + -āculum, probably extracted from hibernāculum “winter quarters”; tavern, hibernaculum.

Example Sentences

He looks at St. Francis and the tabernacle and nods and I suppose he’s talking to God.

From Literature

There were two giant fans at the front of the church, one by the tabernacle and one next to the statue of Saint Joseph.

From Literature

It was like his thoughts as he moved about the tabernacle in which his life had been spent; the tabernacle that he hated, yet loved and feared.

From Literature

Or else he wished to stand up now, and leave this tabernacle and never see these people any more.

From Literature

The priest faces the people, his back to the tabernacle.

From Literature