menorah

noun

me·​no·​rah mə-ˈnȯr-ə 

: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship

Illustration of menorah

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The Menorah and Hanukkah

In English, menorah was originally the name for the seven-branched candelabra used in Jewish worship. The nine-branched Hanukkah candelabra is called hanukkiah in Hebrew, but English speakers came to use menorah for this too. The Hanukkah menorah recalls expulsion by Judah Maccabee of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem. Maccabee and his followers sought oil for the temple's menorah so that the sanctuary could be rededicated, but they found only enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, that tiny amount of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. The Hanukkah menorah includes a candle for each day the oil burned, plus the shammes, a "servant candle" that is used to light the others.

Examples of menorah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s the familiar Seder plate, menorah, and Shabbat candlesticks. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Items include household decorations, lights, trees, candles, menorahs, nutcrackers, and wreaths. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

At a menorah lighting ceremony in December in downtown Detroit for Hanukkah, family members of some of the hostages visited to share their stories with metro Detroiters. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Oct. 2024

Last December, Chabad’s menorah at Lake Merritt was torn apart and tossed into the lake during Hanukkah. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕnōrāh candlestick

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

menorah

noun

me·​no·​rah mə-ˈnȯr-ə 

: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship