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candela

[ kan-dee-luh ]
/ kænˈdi lə /
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noun Optics.
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
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Origin of candela

1945–50; <Latin: candle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use candela in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for candela (1 of 2)

candela
/ (kænˈdiːlə, -ˈdeɪlə) /

noun
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 steradianSymbol: cd Also called: candle, standard candle

Word Origin for candela

C20: from Latin: candle

British Dictionary definitions for candela (2 of 2)

Candela
/ (kænˈdiːlə) /

noun
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 ]

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.
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