candle
noun
can·dle
| \ ˈkan-dᵊl
\
\
plural candles
Definition of candle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a usually molded or dipped mass of wax or tallow containing a wick that may be burned (as to give light, heat, or scent or for celebration or votive purposes)
2
: something resembling a candle in shape or use
a sulfur candle for fumigating
3
: required effort, expense, or trouble
—usually used in the phrase not worth the candle
4
: candela
5
: a thin, upright new shoot forming from a terminal bud on a pine tree in the spring
Pines grow from the branch tips, which elongate into "candles" in spring, then fatten into mature, needle-covered branches. To minimize pine growth, just pinch off the ends of the candles.— Jim McCausland et al.
candle
verb
candled;
candling\ ˈkan(d)-liŋ
, ˈkan-dᵊl-iŋ \
, ˈkan-dᵊl-iŋ \
Definition of candle (Entry 2 of 2)
: to examine by holding between the eye and a light
especially
: to test (eggs) in this way for staleness, blood clots, fertility, and growth
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Other Words from candle
Verb
candler
\ ˈkan(d)-lər
, ˈkan-dᵊl-ər \
noun
, ˈkan-dᵊl-ər \
noun
Examples of candle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
For Clugy-Soto, the purpose of the vigil, and more widely of the clergy, was to convey a message of hope, to detect some light amid the darkness — like the candles in the crowd. — Kayla Bartsch, National Review, "In a Community Turned Upside Down by Tragedy, ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Are Everything," 13 Aug. 2019 Not only are the new fall fragrances about to bless your household, but Yankee Candle is also offering the cutest tote bag for free to those who purchase a large candle from the collection. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Yankee Candle Has Officially Released Its Farmer's Market Collection, And I Am So Ready For Fall," 7 Aug. 2019 Five candles sat at the foot of the home’s driveway Friday, in what appeared to be some kind of unofficial memorial. — Jason Green, The Mercury News, "Gilroy shooter left little impression on classmates, community," 4 Aug. 2019 People perused the aisles where local vendors had set up shop, picking up candles to sniff. — Anna Bauman, Detroit Free Press, "Crystals, healing, acceptance: Inside the world of Michigan's witches," 2 Aug. 2019 The company made a framed photo collage of him, signed by employees, and put it behind a burning candle. — CBS News, "Suspected gunman charged with capital murder in deadly Southern California shooting spree," 29 July 2019 With products by Nike, adidas, Topshop, and more, the on-sale pieces run the gamut from color blocked dresses and comfy sneakers to sports bras and candles. — Teen Vogue, "Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019: What Our Editors Are Buying," 26 July 2019 So do those tricky can’t-blow-them-out birthday candles floating around in your junk drawer. — Outside Online, "5 Ways to Impress Your Friends at the Campsite," 25 July 2019 The next best thing to a candle is a reed diffuser. — Courtney Campbell, USA TODAY, "The 10 best home deals you can get from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale," 24 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
All of your prayers and well wishes and candles got me through today. — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, "P!nk Tweets About Super Bowl 2018 Performance: 'Thank You for the Love'," 4 Feb. 2018 Going through thousands of profiles is like candling eggs — so many inspections to make: Age, race, religion, height and weight appropriate? — Stu Bykofsky, Philly.com, "'Matchmaker, matchmaker': My online dating life," 10 Aug. 2017 Her father hired me during the Easter rush to work with Sharlene gathering, cleaning and candling eggs. — Janet Sheridan, The Denver Post, "A lifetime of chickens as pets, food and summer jobs," 12 Apr. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'candle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for candle
candle
noun
English Language Learners Definition of candle
: wax that has been formed into a stick or another shape and has a string in the middle that can be burned
See the full definition for candle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
candle
noun
can·dle
| \ ˈkan-dᵊl
\
\
Kids Definition of candle
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a stick of tallow or wax containing a wick and burned to give light
candle
verb
candled;
candling
Kids Definition of candle (Entry 2 of 2)
: to examine (an egg) by holding between the eye and a light
candle
noun
can·dle
| \ ˈkan-dᵊl
\
\
Medical Definition of candle
1
: a medicated candle or lozenge used for fumigation
2
: candela
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