: 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
wicked; wicking; wicks
: 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
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
The pic’s buzz lit the wick at Fantastic Fest back in September, and currently carries a 90% fresh critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Concrete naturally wicks moisture from the ground, and temperature differences can cause condensation.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
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Noun
It’s made from 100% cotton and wicks away moisture for extra comfort.
—Verb
They’re made of the brand’s fast-drying fabric called Everlux, which wicks away moisture to prevent sweat marks and stains during even the most high-energy workouts.
—Cite this Entry
“Wick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wick. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
wick
1 of 2 noun
: 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
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
