candela

[ kan-dee-luh ]

nounOptics.
  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 × 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt/steradian: adopted in 1979 as the international standard of luminous intensity. Abbreviation: Cd

Origin of candela

1
1945–50; <Latin: candle

Words Nearby candela

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use candela in a sentence

  • From the top of the Loma de candela, a beautiful view of the valley below spreads out towards the south.

    The History of Cuba, vol. 5 | Willis Fletcher Johnson
  • We then, guided by candela, hurried forward on our journey, keeping a sharp look-out lest the fugitive Indians should return.

    The Young Llanero | W.H.G. Kingston
  • Of course the padre wished to know how it was I had found candela; so I gave him a full account of all that had happened.

    The Young Llanero | W.H.G. Kingston
  • candela now pushed on at a rapid rate, till we saw the light of our camp-fire a short distance off.

    The Young Llanero | W.H.G. Kingston
  • Calling candela, he led him some way down the valley towards a grove of trees, among which were a great variety of creepers.

    The Young Llanero | W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for candela (1 of 2)

candela

/ (kænˈdiːlə, -ˈdeɪlə) /


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 12 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of (1/683) watt per steradian: Symbol: cd Also called: candle, standard candle

Origin of candela

1
C20: from Latin: candle

British Dictionary definitions for Candela (2 of 2)

Candela

/ (kænˈdiːlə) /


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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for candela

candela

[ kăn-dĕlə ]


  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. See Table at measurement. See also lumen luminous flux.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.