menorah

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A candelabrum with branches, used in Jewish worship and as a symbol of Judaism.

   Grammar: Countable: one menorah, two menorahs.

   Patterns

   • light the menorah
   • a seven-branched menorah

   The ancient menorah had seven branches, representing the days of creation.

   A large menorah stands outside the synagogue as a symbol of the Jewish faith.

   The museum displayed a stone menorah from the Roman period.

2. 2nouncountable

   The nine-branched candelabrum lit on each night of the Hanukkah festival.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with the definite article in Hanukkah contexts.

   Patterns

   • light the menorah
   • the Hanukkah menorah

   Each evening of Hanukkah, we light another candle on the menorah.

   The children took turns placing candles in the menorah.

   A blessing is said before the menorah is lit.

Word forms

Common combinations

light the menorah

The family gathers to light the menorah at sunset.

Hanukkah menorah

They bought a silver Hanukkah menorah for the holiday.

seven-branched menorah

The seven-branched menorah is a common motif in Jewish art.

menorah candle

She placed a fresh menorah candle in each holder.

Synonyms and how they differ

hanukkiah

Specifically the nine-branched lamp for Hanukkah; a menorah can also be the seven-branched kind used in the Temple.

candelabrum

A general term for any branched candle holder, not necessarily Jewish.

Commonly confused: menorah or menorah?

Practice

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