kindle

1 of 2

verb (1)

kin·​dle ˈkin-dᵊl How to pronounce kindle (audio)
kindled; kindling ˈkin(d)-liŋ How to pronounce kindle (audio)
ˈkin-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to start (a fire) burning : light
using dry twigs to kindle a fire
2
a
: to stir up : arouse
kindle a child's interest in art
b
: to bring into being : start
3
: to cause to glow : illuminate
animation kindling his pale faceA. J. Cronin

intransitive verb

1
: to catch fire : begin to burn
waiting for the fire to kindle
2
a
: to flare up
… their mutual resentment again kindledEdward Gibbon
b
: to become animated
no boy will fail to kindle to the struggles of his California youthEthna Sheehan
3
: to become illuminated
light kindled in the liquorFrances G. Patton
kindler
ˈkin(d)-lər How to pronounce kindle (audio)
ˈkin-dᵊl-ər
noun

kindle

2 of 2

verb (2)

kindled; kindling

transitive verb

: bear sense 3a
used especially of a rabbit

intransitive verb

: 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
Verb
Sadly, the wood kindling this fire—burning slowly in the declining white working class since the 1970’s—is shame. Arlie Russell Hochschild, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 The friendships kindled at summer camp can last a lifetime. Bruce Beehler, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2024 The thunderstorm created multiple lightning strikes in the area, kindling the three Mill fires and the Smith Fire at around 2:45 p.m., according to the U.S. Forest Service. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 24 July 2024 It was kindled at a time of personal crisis for Davis, in the aftermath of his embrace of Nixon at the 1972 RNC. Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kindle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kindle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, probably modification of Old Norse kynda; akin to Old High German cuntesal fire

Verb (2)

Middle English, from kindle young animal, probably from kinde, noun, kind

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindle was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near kindle

Cite this Entry

“Kindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindle. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

kindle

verb
kin·​dle
ˈkin-dᵊl
kindled; kindling
-(d)liŋ,
-dᵊl-iŋ
1
: to set on fire or take fire : light
2
: to stir up : excite
trying to kindle their interest

Medical Definition

kindle

intransitive verb
kin·​dle ˈkin-dᵊl How to pronounce kindle (audio)
kindled; kindling
: to bring forth young
used chiefly of a rabbit

More from Merriam-Webster on kindle

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