plural candles
1
: 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)
2
: something resembling a candle in shape or use
a sulfur candle for fumigating
3
: required effort, expense, or trouble
—usually used in the phrase not worth the candle
4
: candela
5
: 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.
Jim McCausland et al.
candled; candling
ˈkan(d)-liŋ,
ˈkan-dᵊl-iŋ
: to examine by holding between the eye and a light
especially
: to test (eggs) in this way for staleness, blood clots, fertility, and growth
Examples of candle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Black Friday candle sales are bountiful during this time of year, which is just one thing to thank the retail gods for during a hectic season.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Beyond fragrance, candle warmer lamps double as stylish decor.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candle
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
Surrounding her were tall white candles that were lit to give the room a warm glow.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Black Friday candle sales are bountiful during this time of year, which is just one thing to thank the retail gods for during a hectic season.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The nickel candle snuffer is part of the retailer’s small business collection, and is the most elegant way to put out that pine tree candle this holiday season.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
Beyond fragrance, candle warmer lamps double as stylish decor.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for candle
Cite this Entry
“Candle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share