candle

1 of 2

noun

can·dle ˈkan-dᵊl

plural candles

: a usually molded or dipped mass of wax or tallow containing a wick that may be burned (as to give light, heat, or scent or for celebration or votive purposes)

: something resembling a candle in shape or use

a sulfur candle for fumigating

: required effort, expense, or trouble

—usually used in the phrase not worth the candle

: candela

: a thin, upright new shoot forming from a terminal bud on a pine tree in the spring

Pines grow from the branch tips, which elongate into "candles" in spring, then fatten into mature, needle-covered branches. To minimize pine growth, just pinch off the ends of the candles.

Jim McCausland et al.

candle

2 of 2

verb

candled; candling ˈkan(d)-liŋ

ˈkan-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to examine by holding between the eye and a light

especially : to test (eggs) in this way for staleness, blood clots, fertility, and growth

candler

ˈkan(d)-lər

ˈkan-dᵊl-ər

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For their own part, the Clippers might resort to lighting a prayer candle in hopes their roster soon can return to whole — and, for once, stay that way.

Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2022 And see how its own light increases as a candle gives its flame to the other.

Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 2 Dec. 2022 Each candle runs on three AAA batteries and can be controlled via a remote control.

Katie Melynn Published, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2022 Besides candy canes, peppermint sticks and peppermints, hot glue guns, red cotton string, glass pillar candle holders, and festive ribbons are just a few must-haves.

Julia Ludlam, Country Living, 1 Dec. 2022 In downtown Boise, several hundred people cupped their hands around candle flames outside a University of Idaho's building.

Rebecca Boone, ajc, 1 Dec. 2022 Others practice by using repetition, candle magic or waiting for certain phases of the moon.

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2022 In downtown Boise, several hundred people cupped their hands around candle flames outside a University of Idaho's building.

CBS News, 1 Dec. 2022 In a charming application of ye olde physics, the very traditional Christmas pyramid candle holder capitalizes on the rising heat of a flame to turn propellers that, in the case of Crate & Barrel’s version, send a ring of grazing deer into rotation.

Nina Molina, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022

Verb

Three flickering faux flames give this oversized wax candle a realistic look.

Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2022 Nine people died who were working at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory the night of the storm.

Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, 27 Dec. 2021 Used to check on the general overall health of the egg, candling shines a bright light (not a candle) through the bottom of the egg.

Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2019 All of your prayers and well wishes and candles got me through today.

Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2018 Going through thousands of profiles is like candling eggs — so many inspections to make: Age, race, religion, height and weight appropriate?

Stu Bykofsky, Philly.com, 10 Aug. 2017 Her father hired me during the Easter rush to work with Sharlene gathering, cleaning and candling eggs.

Janet Sheridan, The Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'candle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.