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
Two of the clips show the hostages gingerly lighting makeshift candles on a menorah made of disposable cups.
—
Dana Karni, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
After the victory, when restoring the Temple's menorah, only enough oil to light it for one night was found, yet the flame burned for eight days, according to My Jewish Learning.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
There is a holder for the shammash, which is the ninth candle in the menorah that is used to light the other eight.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Last holiday season, for example, one caller complained that neighbors had decorated their home for Hanukkah, including yard inflatables depicting a menorah and a dreidel.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for menorah
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Dana Karni, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025
After the victory, when restoring the Temple's menorah, only enough oil to light it for one night was found, yet the flame burned for eight days, according to My Jewish Learning.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
There is a holder for the shammash, which is the ninth candle in the menorah that is used to light the other eight.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Last holiday season, for example, one caller complained that neighbors had decorated their home for Hanukkah, including yard inflatables depicting a menorah and a dreidel.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 9 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 15 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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