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
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
In some instances, the amygdala is doing the opposite of kindling fear—instead, trying to quell fear, and in doing so, inhibits breathing.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Nov. 2025
Letter, which is not a romantic fantasy but is rather a straight-up romance, is one of her earlier books and was re-released this year, hitting best-seller status and re-kindling Hollywood interest.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
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Verb
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
In some instances, the amygdala is doing the opposite of kindling fear—instead, trying to quell fear, and in doing so, inhibits breathing.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Nov. 2025
Letter, which is not a romantic fantasy but is rather a straight-up romance, is one of her earlier books and was re-released this year, hitting best-seller status and re-kindling Hollywood interest.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 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 12 Dec. 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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