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 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

Noun

Jersey sheets have a cozy four-way stretch that feels like your favorite T-shirt, while long-staple sheets are brushed for plush durability and percale stays naturally cool and wicks moisture. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Thanks to its premium plant-wax blend and 100 percent natural-fiber wick, the best-selling candle burns cleanly and evenly for up to 150 hours. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Second, swap synthetic clothes for breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo, which wick moisture without trapping odor. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Made from breathable bamboo viscose, the topper wicks away sweat and moisture to keep you cool throughout the night. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for wick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick

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