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

My mother likes to take my daughter to church, Saints Tabernacle Cogic on Jefferson.

From Los Angeles Times

Over his 22 years at Joy Tabernacle, McCathern said, he’s seen an uptick in youth suicide.

From Salon

People across North America watch a total solar eclipse, members of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square perform during a conference in Salt Lake City, and a rainbow forms over Niagara Falls in Canada.

From Seattle Times

There were five hymns and a piece of reflection from the Bridgend Tabernacle Choir, of which Williams was a member and played the organ.

From BBC

He performed with the Boston Pops and the New York Pops, as well as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

From New York Times