tabernacle

[ tab-er-nak-uhl ]

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.

verb (used with or without object)

, tab·er·nac·led, tab·er·nac·ling.

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

tabernacle

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌtaberˈnacular, adjective

Other Words From

• tab·er·nac·u·lar [tab-er-, nak, -y, uh, -ler], adjective
• un·taber·nacled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabernacle¹

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabernacle¹

C13: from Latin tabernāculum a tent, from taberna a hut; see tavern

Example Sentences

“The Los Angeles Public Library. The go-to tabernacle of literacy and lifesaving life hacks. A passport to wonder and whimsy and then some,” Bui says.

From Los Angeles Times

But those voices came back, that I was making a mockery of God and I was playing in His house and tabernacle, and I was going to Hell for this.

From Salon

So they hope that continuing to call out the repression and to document each beaten-up priest, each desecrated tabernacle will eventually lead to justice.

From Seattle Times

Its location in the nation’s capital is no accident: On its website, the center boasts that it is the closest tabernacle to the White House.

From Salon

On a recent Sunday, he led chants in the tabernacle on the foundation’s farm located in Liberta’s lush agricultural district.

From Seattle Times