A candelabrum or candelabra (pl. candelabra, candelabras, or candelabrums) is a type of candlestick which has multiple branches to hold several candles as opposed to only one. "Candelabra" can be used to describe a variety of candle holders including chandeliers. However, candelabra can also be distinguished as branched candle holders that are placed on a surface such as the floor, stand, or tabletop. The chandeliers, on the other hand, are hung from the ceiling.

The Romans used the term to describe a form of ornamental lighting, which may be a tall stand that supports a lamp. In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special kinds of candelabra. Candelabra are also used in churches, in ceremonies such as Tenebrae, in certain Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church liturgy such as the dikirion and trikirion. Candelabra in the form of branched candlesticks also became popular in homes as decorative lighting.

In modern times, electricity has largely relegated candleholders to decorative use in homes. The interior designers nowadays continue to model light fixtures and lighting accessories after candelabra and candlesticks. The term ‘candelabra’ is commonly used to describe small light bulbs used in chandeliers and other lighting fixtures made for decoration as well as lighting.

The first known use of candelabra in English was in 1776, and candelabrum in 1811. The word is originally Latin, where candēlābrum (candela, candle, -b(a) rum, holder) means a "candlestick”, ultimately deriving from candēla, meaning "candle". Candēlābrum is the singular form and candēlābra is the plural.

While candelabra is the correct plural form of candelabrum, due to changes in English usage over time, candelabra is now popularly used as the singular form, with candelabras the supposed plural form. "Candelabrums" is also sometimes seen for the same reasons.

Candelabra is a form of candlestick; candlestick is defined as an object that holds a candle, and candelabra can be defined as a branched holder that supports multiple candles. "Candelabra" has been used to describe all branched candle holders, including chandeliers. The distinction between a candelabrum and a chandelier is that the candelabrum is a candle holder placed on a surface, while the chandelier is hung from the ceiling.

Candelabra were known to have been used in the ancient world. A notable example is the seven-armed candelabrum or menorah, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible with instruction on its creation to Moses. The menorah is depicted in the Arch of Titus following the capture of Jerusalem. It has since become a symbol of Judaism and an Emblem of Israel, as well as a model of seven-armed candelabra used in medieval Christian churches. A bronze candelabrum was made by Callimachus for the Erechtheion in Athens, to carry the lamp sacred to Athena. In this case it is possible the lamp was suspended.

While "candelabrum" is now often used to mean a branched candle holder, the term has been used to describe a variety of lighting objects. A candelabrum may describe a tall stand that supports a lamp. The Roman candelabra may consist of a stalk or reed, the upper part moulded with projecting feature to carry lights at the top, and a base resting on three lions' or griffins' feet. The origin of the term, which means a candlestick, suggests that Roman candelabra may have a disk with a spike on top to carry a wax or tallow candle (candela or funalia). Candelabra, however, can have a disk at the top to carry a lamp, and sometimes there was a hollow cup, in which resinous woods were burnt.