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

“While there is no indication that the vandalism to the menorah was a hate crime, I was deeply disturbed that this historic menorah was damaged,” the statement continued.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 3, 2026

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

As 18:47 neared - the time of the attack the day before - a group of local Jewish leaders stepped forward with a large menorah with candles.

From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2025

I imagine her sitting in an old English house, sipping hot chocolate while snow falls outside, drawing a tiny menorah on a notepad, a Hanukkah celebration for her alone.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

For eight nights every December, our children light their menorahs and sing prayers together.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 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

We lighted the menorahs in our windows and doorways for the holiday’s eight nights, keeping the tradition simple and understated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2024

“The Essex Jewish community has proudly been displaying menorahs for 35 years, and this is our 10th and newest,” Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, executive director of Chabad North East London & Essex, said in a statement.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

Christmas trees and menorahs were displayed in the windows of many apartments.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

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Related Words

• candelabra
• sconce

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