candela
noun
can·de·la
kan-ˈdē-lə 
-ˈde-
-ˈde-
-ˈdā-;
ˈkan-də-lə
: the base unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units that is equal to the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source which emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per unit solid angle
—abbreviation cd
called also candle
Examples of candela in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brightness of 500 nits (candelas per square meter), along with HDR support, makes this a vibrant and easy-to-read display, even for small text and detailed spreadsheets.
—
PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
High candela ratings indicate a more focused beam (great for cutting through fog and smoke and for the furthest reach).
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023
These are: the meter, the kilogram, the ampere, the candela, the mole, the kelvin, and the second.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Harper’s Magazine , 13 Mar. 2023
Specifically, reflection from the headlamps’ housing illuminates two small areas high above the vehicle that, when measured according to federal motor vehicle safety standards, return a result of approximately 450 to 470 candela.
—Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 5 Mar. 2022
The aluminum then ignites, creating a thunderous noise and flash of up to 184 decibels and nine million candela.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2019
The i8’s low-beam LEDs will emit 50 candelas per square millimeter at their source, compared with 580 cd/mm2 for the laser high beams.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Oct. 2013
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PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
High candela ratings indicate a more focused beam (great for cutting through fog and smoke and for the furthest reach).
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023
These are: the meter, the kilogram, the ampere, the candela, the mole, the kelvin, and the second.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Harper’s Magazine , 13 Mar. 2023
Specifically, reflection from the headlamps’ housing illuminates two small areas high above the vehicle that, when measured according to federal motor vehicle safety standards, return a result of approximately 450 to 470 candela.
—Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 5 Mar. 2022
The aluminum then ignites, creating a thunderous noise and flash of up to 184 decibels and nine million candela.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2019
The i8’s low-beam LEDs will emit 50 candelas per square millimeter at their source, compared with 580 cd/mm2 for the laser high beams.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Oct. 2013
Cite this Entry
“Candela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candela. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
candela
noun
can·de·la
kan-ˈdē-lə
-ˈdel-ə
-ˈdel-ə
: a unit of measurement for the intensity of light
Medical Definition
candela
noun
can·de·la
kan-ˈdē-lə
-ˈdel-ə
-ˈdel-ə
: the base unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units that is equal to the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source which emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that direction of ¹/₆₈₃ watt per unit solid angle
—abbreviation cd
called also candle
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