wick

1 of 2

noun

: a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or tube usually of soft spun cotton threads that by capillary attraction 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 heat from the lamp warms your scented candle’s wax so the aroma is released without reducing any of the wax (like with lighting the wick). Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 These devices use a fan that blows air through a moist wick filter; as the water evaporates it’s pushed out of the humidifier as a water vapor. Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2024 The natural, breathable fabric wicks away sweat and combats odor, making this underwear great for travel. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 24 Jan. 2024 The blend of materials and a wool base helps the sock improve temperature control, eliminate odors, and wick moisture away from your skin. Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Homesick candles are made of natural soy wax with cotton wicks, and are free from plastics, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023 Start with tight-fitting base layers made of synthetic materials like polyester to provide good insulation, trap body heat, and wick moisture away. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 In this basic system, a wick connects the planting container and the water reservoir, providing a steady source of nutrient-rich water to the plants' roots. Michelle Ullman, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2024 This North Carolina company is Black woman-owned and uses suppliers from across the South for everything from the fragrance to the wicks to the containers. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2024
Verb
They are designed to wick away moisture and provide all-day comfort. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024 For surfers, the material provides rash guard-style protection, and it's made with a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture and is quick-drying. Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024 Other features of overnight diapers include higher coverage in the front and back, extra-strong fasteners, and additional layers of material that wick away moisture. Sarah Bradley, Parents, 13 Feb. 2024 His first piece of advice is to layer: Something light that wicks away moisture next to your skin, followed by a jacket for protection from wind and light rain. Maria L. La Ganga, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 This perforated foam layer helps wick away heat and increases air circulation. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023 This pair of underwear from the popular maternity brand Hatch is made with pima cotton (which is known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and ultra-soft feel) and a bamboo viscose gusset that’s made to wick away moisture. Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 Overnight Diapers have a breathable mesh gusset inside the lining to wick moisture away from the skin and ensure dryness, reducing the chance of diaper rash. Sarah Bradley, Parents, 13 Feb. 2024 The Quince clogs feature a suede leather exterior and a plush 100 percent Australian shearling lining that promises to wick moisture, regulate the temperature of your feet, and keep you comfortable. Carly Totten, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wick.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wick was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wick

Cite this Entry

“Wick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wick. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on wick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!