noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈθjʊəɹɪbəl/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˈθ(j)ʊɹɪbəl/
General-American:/ˈθɝɹɪbəl/
1
noun
Meaning 1
A censer, especially one hanging on a chain.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1981, Dennis G. Michno, A Manual for Acolytes, Episcopal Church (Morehouse Publishing), page 55, The celebrant may fill the thurible with incense before the entrance, or may instruct the thurifer to do so.
1998, David Philippart, Serve God with Gladness: A Manual for Servers, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago (Liturgy Training Publications), page 41, If you are carrying a bowl thurible, hold it with both hands. Hold it away from your body. Gently move it back and forth to send the smoke up. If you are carrying a thurible on a chain in procession, let it swing gently at your side.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
a container for burning incense (especially one that is swung on a chain in a religious ritual)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: censer
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: vessel
History
Etymology
Originated 1400–50 from late Middle English turrible, from thoryble, from Latin thūribulum (“censer”), equivalent to thūs (“incense”) (root: thūr-) (from Ancient Greek θύος (thúos, “burnt offering”)) + -bulum (“instrumental suffix”).
