menorah

noun

me·​no·​rah mə-ˈnȯr-ə How to pronounce menorah (audio)
: a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship

Illustration of menorah

Illustration of menorah

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 Two great rabbis had a dispute about how to light the menorah. Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2023 The candles are added from right to left, but lit from left to right on the menorah, thus always starting with the newest light. CBS News, 7 Dec. 2023 The menorah was smashed and its pieces strewn around the area. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024 Gionet also has faced police allegations for damaging a menorah displayed outside the Arizona Capitol and for getting in a scuffle with security at a Scottsdale bar. The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024 Some have carried back the giant menorah that once topped the synagogue in Netzarim, just south of Gaza City. Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023 At the start of Hanukkah 2021, Chung posted a photo of the family's menorah on her Instagram Story — marking the start of their twins' first holiday season. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 4 Dec. 2023 Hanukkah celebration: Chabad La Costa hosts a lighting of the menorah from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023 In research on Hanukkah celebrants, Fishbach and another researcher, now a Northwestern University professor, found participants were more likely to light menorah candles on the first and last nights of the eight-day holiday, but were more inclined to skip doing so on the middle nights. Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'menorah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕnōrāh candlestick

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of menorah was in 1886

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near menorah

Cite this Entry

“Menorah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menorah. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

menorah

noun
me·​no·​rah
mə-ˈnōr-ə,
-ˈnȯr- How to pronounce menorah (audio)
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship

More from Merriam-Webster on menorah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!