votive candle

noun

plural votive candles
: a short thick candle used especially as a prayer offering or for decoration
Male and female patrons crowd together at small tables where flames wobble on colored votive candles.Rachel Hickerson
… in some parts of the church you still bake. A lot of churches have gotten rid of votive candles because of the soot and the heat.Rev. John Kozar, quoted in The Pittsburgh (PA) Press

called also votive

Examples of votive candle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Illuminated by warm yellow votive candles and surrounded by white roses, daisies and sunflowers, the vigil attendees sang a series of prayers to God and the Virgin Mary. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Go ahead and take this unscented white votive candle, jerks. Kelly Conaboy, Bon Appétit, 29 Nov. 2023 In a ballroom on the thirty-fourth floor, young men in blazers sat at round white tables with votive candles, scrolling on their phones and swirling cocktails, waiting for dinner to start. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Though tall candlesticks aren’t the only way Hall likes to bring light to her tables: These stout votive candle holders earned a spot among the garland as well. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023 Choose a large ceramic platter or tray and fill it with pinecones, sprigs of holly berries, and votive candles. Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023 Think flowers, colorful napkins, and simple votive candles—just about any combination will do. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2023 Simply cut a one-inch circle into each pumpkin, scooping out the centers with a tablespoon, and insert votive candles. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2023 Clusters of gourds mixed with votive candles make the perfect Thanksgiving meal backdrop. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 26 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'votive candle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of votive candle was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near votive candle

Cite this Entry

“Votive candle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/votive%20candle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

votive candle

noun
1
: a candle lit in devotion or gratitude
2
: a small squat candle

called also votive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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