menorah

[ muh-nawr-uh, -nohr-uh ]

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

/ 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

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of menorah¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of menorah¹

from Hebrew: candlestick

Example Sentences

Your system had to read the same forward and backward, so that regardless of whether you were looking at the menorah from the front or the back you’d still know what night it was.

From FiveThirtyEight

In the end, there were 120 paired states and 16 symmetric states, for a total of 136 distinguishable states — the maximum number of nights your menorah could track.

From FiveThirtyEight

Your system must read the same forward and backward, so that regardless of whether you’re looking at the menorah from the front or the back you will still know what night it is.

From FiveThirtyEight

Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, a Jewish Chabad leader, asked the National Park Service for a permit to put a large menorah in Lafayette Square, but the permit was denied on grounds that it violated the separation of church and state.

From Washington Post

So it was, on the fourth night of Hanukkah, that preparations were made for a silver menorah to be lit in Lafayette Square.

From Washington Post

Plenty of Jewish kids today grow up with a Christmas tree next to their menorah.

From The Daily Beast

He even lit a candle in the main menorah of the community last Hannukah.

From The Daily Beast

There is no menorah in the Gryffindor common room or any mention of Chanukah in any Harry Potter book.

From The Daily Beast

They ask which holiday is represented by the menorah behind them.

From The Daily Beast

More than menorah lighting and dreidel spinning, Hanukkah is known for its culinary delicacy, latkes.

From The Daily Beast

Gleaming brass, its seven uplifting arms gracefully curved, stood a—Menorah!

From Project Gutenberg

See for other particulars the above quoted article in Menorah, note.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candelabra
• sconce