wick

1 of 2

noun

ˈwik How to pronounce wick (audio)
: a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or tube usually of soft spun cotton threads that by capillarity 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
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
This set comes with three plastic flameless candles designed with a black wick and a flickering flame for a realistic-looking, warm glow. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026 The quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant polyester fabric wicks away moisture, and the preppy, two-tone design is ideal for a variety of settings, from early morning coffee runs to afternoon sightseeing. — Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Options range from passive cooling sheets and mattress toppers that wick heat away from the body to powered water- and air-based systems that actively regulate temperature around you. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 Cooling bedding now ranges from passive fabrics that wick heat away to water- and air-powered systems that actively control the temperature of your bed. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wick

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wick was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing wick

Rhymes for wick

See All Rhymes for wick

Browse Nearby Words

wichuraiana
wick
wickape
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wick. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

wick

1 of 2 noun
ˈwik How to pronounce wick (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce wick (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on wick

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All