candle

noun

can·​dle ˈkan-dᵊl 

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.

Examples of candle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were candles to tint the feelings. —Sandra Lim, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026

Other unique menu items include caviar served with chips or chicken nuggets, a 42-ounce tomahawk steak and Parker House rolls accompanied by a beef tallow butter candle. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026

Amen Candles, a Paris based maison founded by Uruguayan artist Rodrigo Garcia Alvarez, presented their handmade candles made in Grasse. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

Always unplug electric candle warmers, space heaters, and similar devices when not in use to avoid fire hazards. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English candel, going back to Old English, borrowed from Latin candēla "tallow candle," from candēre "to shine, be white, gleam" + -la, noun suffix — more at candid entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing candle

• burn the candle at both ends
• foot-candle
• hold a candle to
• not worth the candle
• Roman candle
• rush candle
• standard candle
• tealight candle
• votive candle

Rhymes for candle

• handle
• sandal
• scandal
• vandal
• panhandle

Kids Definition

candle

1 of 2 noun

can·​dle ˈkan-dᵊl 

1

: a mass of tallow or wax containing a wick that is burned to give light

2

: candela

candle

2 of 2 verb

candled; candling ˈkan-dliŋ 

-dᵊl-iŋ

: to examine an egg by holding it between the eye and a light

candler

-dlər 

-dᵊl-ər

noun

Etymology

Old English candel "candle," from Latin candela "candle," from candēre "to shine, be bright" — related to candid, candidate see Word History at candidate

Medical Definition

candle

noun

can·​dle ˈkan-dᵊl 

1

: a medicated candle or lozenge used for fumigation

2

: candela