candlepower

noun

can·​dle·​pow·​er ˈkan-dᵊl-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: luminous intensity expressed in candelas

also : candela

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The crowd raised thousands of lit matches — a panorama of candlepower — and roared its approval. —Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022

There are 46 names listed, compared with 135 candidates in the 2003 recall; none possess the celebrity candlepower of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, who succeeded Davis. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2021

And the Lindbergh beacon revived its revolving multimillion-plus-candlepower beam. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2021

The world was still measured in candlepower, and each bulb had the brightness of sixteen candles. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

candlepower

noun

can·​dle·​pow·​er ˈkan-dᵊl-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: intensity of light expressed in candelas