menorah

American  

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

noun

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of menorah

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

Example Sentences

It ended with the lighting of the menorah, something the crowds gathered for Hannukah last week never got to do.

From BBC

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

From BBC

My family sat down to watch the menorah lighting, and I went to get food, barely 50 feet away.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

But beyond that, the reports are like Christmas trees, or candles on a menorah.

From Barron's

Related Words

• candelabra
• sconce