plural candles
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.
Jim McCausland et al.
candled; candling
ˈkan(d)-liŋ 
ˈkan-dᵊl-iŋ
: to examine by holding between the eye and a light
especially
: to test (eggs) in this way for staleness, blood clots, fertility, and growth
Examples of candle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebHilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
And increasingly, experts recognize that age is more than just the number of candles on a birthday cake.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
If Mom is into sustainable candles, then be sure to check out this DIY candle kit from Siblings.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Eclipse glasses were made out of shards of clear glass blackened over a candle.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Gifting these candles is a way to provide moments of tranquility, allowing mothers to unwind and pamper themselves in the comfort of their own homes.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
When my mother was curating an enormous installation—constructed from church candles and cow bones—by Brazilian conceptual artist Cildo Meireles at MoMA, for example, feijoada brunches became a norm in our household.
—Nora Zelevansky, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2024
This is made easier by putting a playlist on, lighting candles, and burning incense.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
One image showed a young woman smiling with a dessert topped with a celebratory candle.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2024
Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024
Add a beautiful vase or even candle to make it look considered.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Thousands of shoppers have given the Sparkling Cinnamon candle a perfect rating.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023
In addition to the everyday dust, food smells, and candle smoke from both rooms, my cat Ginny also loves to lounge in that area, which means fur and dander are inevitable.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 30 July 2023
Duxiana candle $80 Lumen Metabolism Tracker This device measures the CO2 concentration in the breath to determine if the body is burning more fat or carbs on a scale of 1-5.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023
Learn proper siting and planting practices, observe techniques for candling pines to control size and review general care of dwarf conifers.
—Corey Sheldon | , oregonlive, 12 May 2023
The good news is, there’s an alternative: candle warmer lamps.
—Alanna Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2023
According to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration, there is no evidence that ear candling is effective.
—Madeleine Burry, Health, 3 Mar. 2023
Noun
Light some candles, put on some chill tunes, grab a book—make your nightly bath a self-care moment.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
And increasingly, experts recognize that age is more than just the number of candles on a birthday cake.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
If Mom is into sustainable candles, then be sure to check out this DIY candle kit from Siblings.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Eclipse glasses were made out of shards of clear glass blackened over a candle.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Gifting these candles is a way to provide moments of tranquility, allowing mothers to unwind and pamper themselves in the comfort of their own homes.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
When my mother was curating an enormous installation—constructed from church candles and cow bones—by Brazilian conceptual artist Cildo Meireles at MoMA, for example, feijoada brunches became a norm in our household.
—Nora Zelevansky, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2024
This is made easier by putting a playlist on, lighting candles, and burning incense.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
One image showed a young woman smiling with a dessert topped with a celebratory candle.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
Buy Now: liis reyes candle $65 Homesick Barbie Dreamhouse Candle
Transform your home into Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse with this adorable candle from Homesick.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024
Add a beautiful vase or even candle to make it look considered.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Thousands of shoppers have given the Sparkling Cinnamon candle a perfect rating.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023
In addition to the everyday dust, food smells, and candle smoke from both rooms, my cat Ginny also loves to lounge in that area, which means fur and dander are inevitable.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 30 July 2023
Duxiana candle $80 Lumen Metabolism Tracker This device measures the CO2 concentration in the breath to determine if the body is burning more fat or carbs on a scale of 1-5.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023
Learn proper siting and planting practices, observe techniques for candling pines to control size and review general care of dwarf conifers.
—Corey Sheldon | , oregonlive, 12 May 2023
The good news is, there’s an alternative: candle warmer lamps.
—Alanna Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2023
According to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration, there is no evidence that ear candling is effective.
—Madeleine Burry, Health, 3 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'candle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Candle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on candle
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for candle
Nglish: Translation of candle for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of candle for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about candle
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