Illustration of menorah
menorah
noun
me·no·rah mə-ˈnȯr-ə 
: 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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In the meantime, why not also shop for a beautiful menorah? 
Emily Burack, Town & Country, 31 July 2022 Despite cold and rainy weather, the event — a first of its kind for the city — drew a crowd of about 80 people to the front lawn of the Park Ridge Public Library as Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich lit the 9-foot-tall menorah. Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 6 Dec. 2021 On the first day of Hanukkah, a congregant brought a menorah that his girlfriend, whose family is both Jewish and Catholic, donated to the chapel. Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2021 Other menorah lightings and activities were also held in such places as Arlington Heights and Vernon Hills. Pioneer Press Staff, chicagotribune.com, 30 Nov. 2021 The menorah lighting ceremony is in partnership with Northern Hills Synagogue and will last from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 23 Nov. 2021 In the past, the annual Menorah in the D event brought thousands of people to Detroit to light a 26-foot menorah. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 23 Nov. 2021 In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Rabbi Moishe Kievman, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Nov. 2021 Dead Dancing Hanukkah Bear Bobbleheads stand six inches tall and feature the classic dancing bear holding a menorah in his best yarmulke. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2021 See More
Emily Burack, Town & Country, 31 July 2022 Despite cold and rainy weather, the event — a first of its kind for the city — drew a crowd of about 80 people to the front lawn of the Park Ridge Public Library as Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich lit the 9-foot-tall menorah. Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 6 Dec. 2021 On the first day of Hanukkah, a congregant brought a menorah that his girlfriend, whose family is both Jewish and Catholic, donated to the chapel. Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2021 Other menorah lightings and activities were also held in such places as Arlington Heights and Vernon Hills. Pioneer Press Staff, chicagotribune.com, 30 Nov. 2021 The menorah lighting ceremony is in partnership with Northern Hills Synagogue and will last from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 23 Nov. 2021 In the past, the annual Menorah in the D event brought thousands of people to Detroit to light a 26-foot menorah. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 23 Nov. 2021 In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Rabbi Moishe Kievman, sun-sentinel.com, 17 Nov. 2021 Dead Dancing Hanukkah Bear Bobbleheads stand six inches tall and feature the classic dancing bear holding a menorah in his best yarmulke. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Hebrew mĕnōrāh candlestick
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
menorah
noun
me·no·rah mə-ˈnōr-ə
: a holder for candles used in Jewish worship