Hanukkah

noun

Ha·​nuk·​kah ˈhä-nə-kə  ˈḵä- 

variants or less commonly Chanukah or Hanukah

: an 8-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th of Kislev and commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after its defilement by Antiochus of Syria

Examples of Hanukkah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her own parents, however, wanted to alternate holidays, with the exception of their beloved family Hanukkah party. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 3 July 2025

There were songs to commemorate Hanukkah and dances to celebrate Diwali. —Joshua B. Kulak, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

My stepmother bought me a small menorah and candles for Hanukkah and forced me to say the blessings on my own as a form of social alienation. —Literary Hub, 12 June 2025

Dunk ’em into sour cream to summon Hanukkah any time of year. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ḥănukkāh dedication

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Hanukkah

• chronica
• harmonica
• japonica
• veronica

Kids Definition

Hanukkah

noun

Ha·​nuk·​kah

variants also Chanukah or Hanukah

ˈḵän-ə-kə,

ˈhän-

: an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrated in November or December in honor of the cleansing and second dedication of the Temple after the Syrians were driven out of Jerusalem in 165 b.c.