definitions

menorah

[ muh-nawr-uh, -nohr-uh ]
/ məˈnɔr ə, -ˈnoʊr ə /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR menorah ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

RELATED CONTENT

Light Up Your Language For The Festival Of LightsRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
What Does ✡️ Star Of David Emoji Mean?This emoji is used in all manner of posts and digital media in relation to Judaism, Jewish culture, and spirituality.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

candelabra, sconce, pricket

Nearby words

menon, menopausal, menopause, menophania, menopolis, menorah, menorca, menorrhagia, menorrhalgia, menorrhea, menorrhoea

Origin of menorah

First recorded in 1885–90, menorah is from the Hebrew word mənōrāh literally, lampstand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for menorah

British Dictionary definitions for menorah

menorah

/ (mɪˈnɔːrə, Hebrew məˈnɑʊrɔ) /

noun Judaism

a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple and now an emblem of Judaism and the badge of the state of Israel
a candelabrum having eight branches and a shammes that is lit during the festival of Hanukkah

Word Origin for menorah

from Hebrew: candlestick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for menorah

menorah

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.