wick

1 of 2

noun

ˈwik 

: a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or tube usually of soft spun cotton threads that by capillarity draws up to be burned a steady supply of the oil in lamps or the melted tallow or wax in candles

wick

2 of 2

verb

wicked; wicking; wicks

transitive verb

: to absorb or drain (a fluid, moisture, etc.) like a wick

a fabric that wicks away perspiration

Examples of wick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The candles—soy wax, offered with crackling wood wicks—are handmade by the small biz, who also make charming, Asian-America-nostalgic scents inspired by White Rabbit candy, persimmon, and boba. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026

Each candle uses soy wax and a lead-free cotton wick, both of which promote a clean burn and keep soot to a minimum. — Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2026

Verb

Second, swap synthetic clothes for breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo, which wick moisture without trapping odor. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Made from breathable bamboo viscose, the topper wicks away sweat and moisture to keep you cool throughout the night. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English weke, wicke, from Old English wēoce; akin to Old High German wiohha wick, Middle Irish figid he weaves

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wick

• get on someone's wick

Rhymes for wick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick

Kids Definition

wick

1 of 2 noun

ˈwik 

: a cord, strip, or ring of loosely woven material through which a liquid (as wax or oil) is drawn to the top in a candle, lamp, or oil stove for burning

wick

2 of 2 verb

: to absorb or drain (as a fluid or moisture) like a wick

fabric that wicks away sweat

Medical Definition

wick

1 of 2 noun

ˈwik 

: a strip of material (as gauze) placed in a wound to serve as a drain

wick

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to absorb or drain (as fluid or moisture) like a wick

—often used with away

a dry gauze dressing was used to wick exudate away from the wound