: 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
wicked; wicking; wicks
: 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
Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
Each three-wick glass candle looks just like a real glass of hot coffee, but with sweet aromas that last much longer.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025
Nike’s legendary Dri-FIT technology helps wick sweat to keep your hands dry and comfortable, no matter the conditions.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wick
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The WinkBed mattress technology provides strong edge support and wicks away heat, ensuring sleepers have a calm, peaceful night.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
Each three-wick glass candle looks just like a real glass of hot coffee, but with sweet aromas that last much longer.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
Because synthetic fibers wick away perspiration with body soil and odors, they should be washed more often.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025
Nike’s legendary Dri-FIT technology helps wick sweat to keep your hands dry and comfortable, no matter the conditions.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wick
Cite this Entry
“Wick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wick. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wick
1 of 2 noun
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share