menorah

[muh-nawr-uh, -nohr-uh] /məˈnɔr ə, -ˈnoʊr ə/
noun
1.
a candelabrum having seven branches (as used in the Biblical tabernacle or the Temple in Jerusalem), or any number of branches (as used in modern synagogues).
2.
a candelabrum having nine branches, for use on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Origin
1885-90; < Hebrew mənōrāh literally, lampstand
Examples from the web for menorah
  • There is a dog menorah with dogs sitting near the candle cup holders.
  • Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days, which allowed enough time to obtain new oil for the menorah.
  • And the celebration, with the lighting of the menorah, is almost always accompanied by food.
  • The cats gagged, the husband sneezed, the menorah was in flames: a few cautionary tales of holiday horrors.
British Dictionary definitions for menorah

menorah

/mɪˈnɔːrə; Hebrew məˈnɑʊrɔ/
noun (Judaism)
1.
a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple and now an emblem of Judaism and the badge of the state of Israel
2.
a candelabrum having eight branches and a shammes that is lit during the festival of Hanukkah
Word Origin
from Hebrew: candlestick
Word Origin and History for menorah
n.

1886, from Hebrew menorah "candlestick," from Semitic stem n-w-r "to give light, shine" (cf. Arabic nar "fire," manarah "candlestick, lighthouse, tower of a mosque," see minaret).

menorah in Culture

menorah definition


A nine-branched candelabrum used during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The center candle, or “starter,” is used to light the other eight candles, with one additional candle lit on each subsequent evening of the celebration.