sconce

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈskän(t)s 

1

: a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks

also : an electric light fixture patterned on a candle sconce

2

: head, skull

sconce

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a detached defensive work

Examples of sconce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Picture lights, sconces, and lamps all throughout can accommodate various lighting permutations. —Michael Boodro, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2024

Planters, sconces, bathroom and kitchen hardware (including sinks), jewelry, goblets, and servingware are all making an appearance with a special copper touch. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

Bathrooms are covered in Austrian white marble with gold accents, and the rest have gold handles, sconces, lamps, and doors for a luxe, but not over-the-top, poshness. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024

Bergin added a set of pewter sconces from Santa Barbara Lights and a 19th-century Dutch mirror to elevate this tiny bathroom that Bacon shares with her five-year-old daughter. —Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French sconce, *esconse screened candle or lantern, from escunser to hide, obscure, from Old French escons, past participle of escondre to hide, from Vulgar Latin *excondere, alteration of Latin abscondere — more at abscond

Noun (2)

Dutch schans, from German Schanze

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1571, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sconce

noun

ˈskän(t)s

: a lamp or candlestick or group of candlesticks fastened to a wall