Illustration of menorah
: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship
Did you know?
The Menorah and Hanukkah
In English, menorah was originally the name for the seven-branched candelabra used in Jewish worship. The nine-branched Hanukkah candelabra is called hanukkiah in Hebrew, but English speakers came to use menorah for this too. The Hanukkah menorah recalls expulsion by Judah Maccabee of invading forces from the Temple of Jerusalem. Maccabee and his followers sought oil for the temple’s menorah so that the sanctuary could be rededicated, but they found only enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, that tiny amount of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply could be obtained. The Hanukkah menorah includes a candle for each day the oil burned, plus the shammes, a "servant candle" that is used to light the others.
Examples of menorah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The commandment, or mitzvah, of Hanukkah is to light the menorah with family or friends at home.
—
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Dec. 2025
HOAs may restrict nativity scenes, menorahs, crosses and other religious items as long as the rule is content-neutral; focused on size, placement or safety — not the message; and evenly enforced or applied the same way to everyone.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 2 Dec. 2025
Visit a holiday market or a Christmas tree or menorah lighting ceremony.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Dec. 2025
But some communal menorah lights may also take place during the more than week-long holiday.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menorah
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Dec. 2025
HOAs may restrict nativity scenes, menorahs, crosses and other religious items as long as the rule is content-neutral; focused on size, placement or safety — not the message; and evenly enforced or applied the same way to everyone.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 2 Dec. 2025
Visit a holiday market or a Christmas tree or menorah lighting ceremony.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Dec. 2025
But some communal menorah lights may also take place during the more than week-long holiday.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menorah
Cite this Entry
“Menorah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menorah. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
menorah
noun
me·no·rah
mə-ˈnȯr-ə 
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share