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

Better Homes & Gardens Salted Coconut Mahogany 2-Wick Candle One of Walmart’s best-selling candles, the Better Homes & Gardens Salted Coconut Mahogany candle has two wicks to ensure an even burn. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024

Use the stick to keep the wick centered within the vessel. —Maryal Miller Carter, The Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2024

Verb

The substrate must be separated from the drainage layer below it, so the collected water doesn’t wick back up and suffocate roots. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024

In terms of practicality, the fabric wicks away moisture from the skin and dries quickly. —Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 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