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 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

What to Know About Evaporative Humidifiers Before Shopping Operation An evaporative humidifier relies on a fan that blows water from the device’s water tank through a wick or filter. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024

There were candles everywhere, some lit, some just thick stains of wax and a stub of a wick. —Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024

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

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