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 Web
Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
The 49-year-old recounted that Combs would often request Oddi wear a police officer costume and that the atmosphere included dim lights and candles.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Fragrance trends come and go, but one swipe through social media will tell you that candle warmers are here to stay.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candle
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Noun
Legend has it that children bid farewell by standing on the riverbank with candles to light the way.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
The 49-year-old recounted that Combs would often request Oddi wear a police officer costume and that the atmosphere included dim lights and candles.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Verb
Neal’s Yard Remedies: British wellness brand Neal’s Yard Remedies has been a Covent Garden staple since the 1980s, known for its organic health and beauty products, as well as treatments and therapies ranging from Ayurveda and ear candling to hypnotherapy and reflexology.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Fragrance trends come and go, but one swipe through social media will tell you that candle warmers are here to stay.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candle
Cite this Entry
“Candle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candle. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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