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helical

American  
[hel-i-kuhl, hee-li-] / ˈhɛl ɪ kəl, ˈhi lɪ- /

adjective

  1. pertaining to or having the form of a helix; spiral.

helical British  
/ ˈhɛlɪkəl /

adjective

  1. of or shaped like a helix; spiral

"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

Other Word Forms

  • helically adverb

Etymology

Origin of helical

First recorded in 1605–15; helic- + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As water flows past the DNA, it applies a spinning force to the helical molecule.

From Science Daily

Using this approach, the team carved tiny helical structures from a topological magnetic crystal made of cobalt, tin, and sulfur, with the chemical formula Co3Sn2S2.

From Science Daily

At large scales, radio data reveal that the jet forms a helical pattern as it propagates through the galaxy.

From Science Daily

The tubes measure about 230 nm in diameter and are made of 5 to 6 right-handed helical fibers that twist together.

From Science Daily

The asymmetric, helical ridges may even inspire low-drag hulls or fuselages that stay streamlined while promoting interior air flows.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.