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• candela
  candela

  noun

  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
  Candela

  noun

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

candela

American  

[kan-dee-luh] / kænˈdi lə /

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

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Candela ¹ British  

/ kænˈdiːlə /

noun

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

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candela ² British  

/ kænˈdiːlə, -ˈdeɪlə /

noun

1. Also called: candle, standard candle, cd. 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

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candela Scientific  

/ 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 measurement See also lumen luminous flux

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Etymology

Origin of candela

1945–50; < Latin: candle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

candela Candela

It also suggested that 40,000 candela per sq m - a measure of luminance - may be an "important threshold for the experience of glare being more likely".

From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2026

The standard unit of intensity of light is the candela, which is approximately the luminous intensity of a one common candle.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

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 ● Feb. 12, 2011

"Yes, yes, Don Frederico," joyfully cried Manuel, "'Media vida es la candela; pan y vino, la otra media.'"

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 7 by Charles Dudley Warner

Stockholm-based Candela started out developing hydrofoiling electric leisure boats, but is now applying the technology and lessons learned from its speed boats to ferries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

I speak from experience: The 1929 Emery Roth building in which I live sits next to a nearly identical Rosario Candela design from the same year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

“It basically works like a jet fighter … except our wings fly in water instead of air,” Candela founder and CEO Gustav Hasselskog said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2024

“This is a real leap forward,” said Erik Eklund, who is in charge of the commercial vessel division at Candela.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2023

Calling Candela, he led him some way down the valley towards a grove of trees, among which were a great variety of creepers.

From The Young Llanero A Story of War and Wild Life in Venezuela by William Henry Giles Kingston