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

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

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

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Mr. van Daan made a menorah out of wood, so that was taken care of too.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

• candelabra
• sconce