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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  

/ -ˈdeɪlə, kænˈdiːlə /

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 Warner, Charles Dudley

Candela has raised a total of 129 million euros since Gustav Hasselskog founded it just over a decade ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

Twelve of the buildings Wolfe cited in his 1985 list were designed by Rosario Candela; another eight were by J.E.R.

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

Candela hopes that as well as Stockholm, cities like San Francisco, New York and Venice will lead the electrification of waterborne public transport.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2023

Neither the señor padre nor Candela were to be found.

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