Illustration of menorah
: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship
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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
Light the menorah, hang up a stocking on your fireplace, or do the New Year’s Eve countdown for yourself.
—
Monica Haider, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025
This white alabaster, while far from a traditional menorah, offers the sort of sophistication that suits other polished holiday decorations perfectly.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
This year’s options come in cute, festive packaging that will look even better wrapped under the Christmas tree or menorah.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
The first winters after the Accords also brought public menorah lightings for Hanukkah, with Emiratis proudly standing by, and sometimes lighting the candles, with Jewish community leaders.
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
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Monica Haider, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025
This white alabaster, while far from a traditional menorah, offers the sort of sophistication that suits other polished holiday decorations perfectly.
—Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2025
This year’s options come in cute, festive packaging that will look even better wrapped under the Christmas tree or menorah.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
The first winters after the Accords also brought public menorah lightings for Hanukkah, with Emiratis proudly standing by, and sometimes lighting the candles, with Jewish community leaders.
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 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 25 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
menorah
noun
me·no·rah
mə-ˈnȯr-ə 
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship
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