candela

[ kan-dee-luh ]

noun

, Optics.

1. a basic unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined as the luminous intensity of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 12 hertz and that has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt/steradian: adopted in 1979 as the international standard of luminous intensity. : Cd

candela

¹

/ -ˈdeɪlə; kænˈdiːlə /

noun

1. the basic SI unit of luminous intensity; the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 ¹²hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of ( 1 683 ) watt per steradian cd Also calledcandlestandard candle

Candela

²

/ kænˈdiːlə /

noun

1. CandelaFelix19101997MMexicanARCHITECTURE: architect Felix. 1910–97, Mexican architect, noted for his naturalistic modern style and thin prestressed concrete roofs

candela

/ kăn-dĕl′ə /

1. The SI unit used to measure the brightness of a source of light (its luminous intensity). By definition, one square centimeter of a blackbody at the freezing point of platinum emits one-sixtieth of a candela of radiation.
2. See Table at measurementSee also lumen

Word History and Origins

Origin of candela¹

1945–50; < Latin: candle

Word History and Origins

Origin of candela¹

C20: from Latin: candle

Example Sentences

The three other basic SI units — the second, the metre and the candela — are already based on constants.

From Nature

Over the past few decades, six of the seven units of the metric system — the meter, the second, the ampere, the Kelvin, the mole, and the candela — have undergone the same transformation.

From The Verge

Two other units are included in the list: the amount of a substance in a given sample is measured in moles and luminous intensity is measured in candelas.

From The Guardian

In a style known as candela, it came wrapped in a leaf dried at high temperatures to preserve tobacco’s frog-like color.

From Wall Street Journal

A draft resolution to be considered at the General Conference of Weights and Measures in October includes new and improved definitions for the ampere, the mole and the candela.

From New York Times