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
Jewish families gathered in downtown Dallas on Thursday night to mark the fifth night of Hanukkah, celebrating with music, dancing and the lighting of a large menorah under heightened security following a deadly attack in Australia.
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Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Campbell said ships often have a menorah that is lit nightly during Hanukkah.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Shmuel Rosenstein, acting chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, said the Jewish community in Crown Heights was still planning to move forward with its Hanukkah events and menorah lightings despite the recent attacks.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The rabbis sentiments about light were echoed throughout the county this week as various municipalities hosted menorah lighting ceremonies to mark the Jewish holiday.
—Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
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Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Campbell said ships often have a menorah that is lit nightly during Hanukkah.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Shmuel Rosenstein, acting chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, said the Jewish community in Crown Heights was still planning to move forward with its Hanukkah events and menorah lightings despite the recent attacks.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The rabbis sentiments about light were echoed throughout the county this week as various municipalities hosted menorah lighting ceremonies to mark the Jewish holiday.
—Miami Herald, 18 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 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
menorah
noun
me·no·rah
mə-ˈnȯr-ə 
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship
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