menorah

American  

[muh-nawr-uh, -nohr-uh] / məˈnɔr ə, -ˈnoʊr ə /

noun

• menorahs
  plural

1. a candelabrum having seven branches (as used in the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem), or any number of branches (as used in modern synagogues).

2. a candelabrum having nine branches, for use on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

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menorah British  

/ məˈnɑʊrɔ, mɪˈnɔːrə /

noun

1. a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple and now an emblem of Judaism and the badge of the state of Israel

2. a candelabrum having eight branches and a shammes that is lit during the festival of Hanukkah

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menorah Cultural  

1. A nine-branched candelabrum used during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The center candle, or “starter,” is used to light the other eight candles, with one additional candle lit on each subsequent evening of the celebration.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• menorahs
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of menorah

First recorded in 1885–90, menorah is from the Hebrew word mənōrāh literally, lampstand

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Explanation

A menorah is a special candleholder for seven or nine candles. Nine-branched menorahs are used during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that falls in the late fall or winter and lasts for eight days and nights. A menorah is an important part of celebrating Hanukkah, also known as "the festival of lights." A seven-branched menorah, which did not use candles but instead had seven oil lamps, is described in the Hebrew Bible. The word menorah comes from a Semitic root meaning "to shine."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

menorah menorahs

A menorah and a humble church flash on the screen.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026

The event ended with the lighting of the menorah - something the crowds gathered for Hannukah last week couldn't do.

From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2025

As a song—“Just a Little Bit of Light”—plays, he lifts a large menorah from his car, fastens it onto the roof, lights it, and dances beside it, out in the street.

From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2025

On Sunday evening, leaders from the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades gathered at the mall to light a towering menorah.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2025

Friday night was really nice because she convinced her mom to let me watch while she lit the menorah for the family.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

She called her pastor, Keith Torney, and asked if the children in Sunday school could draw menorahs and display them in their windows in solidarity with their Jewish neighbors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025

When the non-Jews of Billings put up their menorahs, they were standing for religious liberty for all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 10, 2025

A large photo of the pope has joined her office decorations of kippot and menorahs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2024

The lighting of menorahs in city streets and parks has become more prominent in recent years in countries around the world, including in front of public landmarks.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

The fourth graders cut menorahs from cardboard and covered them with glittering aluminum foil.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

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Related Words

• candelabra
• sconce

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