coil

[ koil ]

See synonyms for: coil coiled coiling on Thesaurus.com

noun

a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into: A coil of string was wound around the pole.
one of a connected series of spirals or rings that rope, wire, or the like has been formed into: Grab the first coil of the yarn and slip it over the other two.

an arrangement of pipes wound up in a spiral or series, as in a radiator.
a continuous pipe having inlet and outlet, or flow and return ends.
Medicine/Medical. an intrauterine device.
Electricity.
- a conductor, such as a copper wire, wound up in a spiral or similar form.
- a device made up of this type of conductor.
- ignition coil.
Philately.
- a stamp issued in a roll, usually of 500 stamps, and usually perforated vertically or horizontally only.
- a roll of such stamps.

verb (used with object)

to wind into continuous, regularly spaced rings one above the other: The first step of this craft is to coil a wire around a pencil.
to wind on a flat surface into a connected series of rings, one atop the other: He coiled the rope on the deck.

to gather (rope, wire, etc.) into loops: She coiled the garden hose and hung it on the hook.

verb (used without object)

to form rings, spirals, etc.; gather or retract in a circular way: The snake coiled, ready to strike.
to move in or follow a winding course: The river coiled through the valley.

Origin of coil

First recorded in 1605–15; of uncertain origin; perhaps from Middle French, Old French coillir, cuillir “to take” (modern French cueillir “to gather, pick”), from Latin colligere “to gather together”; see collect, cull

Other words from coil

coil·a·ble, adjective
coil·a·bil·i·ty [koil-uh-bil-i-tee] /ˌkɔɪl əˈbɪl ɪ ti/ noun
un·coiled, adjective

Other definitions for coil (2 of 2)

coil²

[ koil ]

nounArchaic.

a noisy disturbance; commotion; tumult.
trouble; bustle; ado.

Origin of coil

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coil in a sentence

These space heaters work by circulating currents across an element such as an electric coil or oil, which are often blown out and drawn back in using a fan.
Best space heater: Stay warm in every space, from the garage to the basement | Carsen Joenk | February 18, 2021 | Popular-Science
For a start, the underlying hardware is vastly different from the transistors traditional computers are built from, and there are actually multiple competing technologies than run the gamut from superconducting coils to trapped ions.
IBM’s New Software Will Make Quantum Programs Run 100 Times Faster | Edd Gent | February 15, 2021 | Singularity Hub
Instead, the troops carried out support missions, like hanging coils of razor wire atop border fences and points of entry with Mexico in California, Arizona and Texas.
The National Emergency at U.S-Mexico Border Is Over. But Thousands of Troops Remain | W.J. Hennigan | February 11, 2021 | Time
In an electric oven, the heat will radiate from metal coils, but the idea is the same.
Don’t Fear the Broiler | Elazar Sontag | February 11, 2021 | Eater
Two layers down, between the upper and base housing, the coil spring controls the pressure that needs to be applied every time you tap a key, and the electricity flows to the crosspoint contact at the bottom.
Best mechanical keyboard: Game, code, type, and work smoother and faster | PopSci Commerce Team | February 4, 2021 | Popular-Science

This motion consists almost wholly in apparently purposeless lashing and coiling movements, and continues for many hours.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
He dreamt of a serpent coiling around his throat, and when he strove to grasp it the slimy thing glided away from his clutch.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
The finished product is delivered to a belt-driven coiling reel on which it is wound.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
"That will come in useful," Garcia said, coiling it up on his arm.
Under Wellington's Command | G. A. Henty
Before the year was out, Schweigger, of Halle, multiplied the influence of the current on the needle by coiling the wire about it.
Heroes of the Telegraph | J. Munro

British Dictionary definitions for coil (1 of 2)

coil¹

/ (kɔɪl) /

verb

to wind or gather (ropes, hair, etc) into loops or (of rope, hair, etc) to be formed in such loops
(intr) to move in a winding course

noun

something wound in a connected series of loops
a single loop of such a series

an arrangement of pipes in a spiral or loop, as in a condenser
an electrical conductor wound into the form of a spiral, sometimes with a soft iron core, to provide inductance or a magnetic field: See also induction coil
an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a coil
the transformer in a petrol engine that supplies the high voltage to the sparking plugs

Origin of coil

C16: from Old French coillir to collect together; see cull

Derived forms of coil

coiler, noun

British Dictionary definitions for coil (2 of 2)

coil²

/ (kɔɪl) /

noun

the troubles and activities of the world (in the Shakespearean phrase this mortal coil)

Origin of coil

C16: of unknown origin

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

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