censer

noun

cen·​ser ˈsen(t)-sər How to pronounce censer (audio)
: a vessel for burning incense
especially : a covered incense burner swung on chains in a religious ritual

Illustration of censer

Illustration of censer

Examples of censer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The clanging of heavy weight in motion is like the clinking of a priest’s censer, releasing a cloud of incense, which enters the nooks and crannies of one’s life and infuses them with a certain power. — Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 From behind the counter, the cashier pulled forth a large brass hanging censer. — Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of censer was in the 13th century

Rhymes for censer

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Browse Nearby Words

cense
censer
censitaire
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Cite this Entry

“Censer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censer. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

censer

noun
cen·​ser ˈsen(t)-sər How to pronounce censer (audio)
: a container in which incense is burned

More from Merriam-Webster on censer

Nglish: Translation of censer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about censer

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