kindled; kindling
ˈkin(d)-liŋ 
ˈkin-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to start (a fire) burning : light
using dry twigs to kindle a fire
3
: to cause to glow : illuminate
animation kindling his pale face—
A. J. Cronin
A. J. Cronin1
: to catch fire : begin to burn
waiting for the fire to kindle
2
a
: to flare up
… their mutual resentment again kindled …—Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon
b
: to become animated
no boy will fail to kindle to the struggles of his California youth—Ethna Sheehan
Ethna Sheehan3
: to become illuminated
light kindled in the liquor—Frances G. Patton
Frances G. Patton
kindled; kindling
: bear sense 3a
—used especially of a rabbit
: to bring forth young
—used especially of a rabbit
Examples of kindle in a Sentence
Verb (1)
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Related article Extreme volatility sends US stocks on a roller coaster ride as Wall Street is rattled by tariffs
The jolt into positive territory was short-lived — a spark of hope kindled by a bogus rumor that Trump was weighing a three-month delay on tariffs.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
That leadership isn't just about putting out fires, but about kindling something deeper.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
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Verb
Is public education today kindling a love of learning in students—or the opposite?
—Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Related article Extreme volatility sends US stocks on a roller coaster ride as Wall Street is rattled by tariffs
The jolt into positive territory was short-lived — a spark of hope kindled by a bogus rumor that Trump was weighing a three-month delay on tariffs.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
That leadership isn't just about putting out fires, but about kindling something deeper.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Cite this Entry
“Kindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindle. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
kindle
intransitive verb
kin·dle
ˈkin-dᵊl
kindled; kindling
: to bring forth young
—used chiefly of a rabbit
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