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Chanukkah

Chanukkah

1 5.6
An eight-day Jewish festival when people light a menorah each night
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑːnʊkə/
translation icon : Janucá
  • We celebrate Chanukkah every year.

Examples

  • During Chanukkah, families gather each night to light the menorah and celebrate together.

  • On Chanukkah, it is customary to play games with a dreidel and enjoy traditional foods.

  • My family lights the menorah every night during Chanukkah.

  • The story of Chanukkah is taught in many religious school programs.

  • We exchange small gifts with friends and relatives for each of the eight days of Chanukkah.

  • Happy Chanukkah to everyone!

  • Many people hang decorations and display their menorahs prominently during Chanukkah.

Synonyms

Hanukkah
vsChanukkah
3.5

An eight-day Jewish festival when families light a special candle holder and eat traditional foods

is an alternate spelling form of the same festival
Channukah
vsChanukkah
5.7

An eight-day Jewish festival when families light candles to remember the Temple in Jerusalem being made holy again

is a variant spelling that means the same festival
7.8

An eight-day Jewish festival in winter called Hanukkah that celebrates the Temple in Jerusalem being made holy again

is the common name used today rather than the formal title
Feast of Dedication
vsChanukkah
6.9

An eight-day Jewish festival also called Hanukkah that remembers the Temple in Jerusalem being made holy again

is the everyday name that people use more often
Feast of Lights
vsChanukkah
4.8

An eight-day Jewish holiday called Hanukkah when families light candles each night to remember a miracle

is the usual name focusing on the historical rededication event
Festival of Lights
vsChanukkah
3.5

An eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the Temple in Jerusalem being made holy again by lighting a menorah

is the specific traditional name tied to the rededication history

Surface Forms

Chanukkah singular
Chanukkahs plural

Etymology

Chanukkah comes from the Hebrew word hanukkah, which means 'dedication' and is like the English word 'dedicate'. It remembers the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem, which is why people light the menorah for eight nights.