spinning

American  

[spin-ing] / ˈspɪn ɪŋ /

noun

1. Textiles.

   1. the act or process of converting staple or short lengths of fiber, as cotton or rayon, into continuous yarn or thread.

   2. the extrusion of a solution of fiber-forming substances through holes in a spinneret to form filaments.

2. Entomology. the act or process of secreting and placing silk or silklike filaments, as in the construction of a web by a spider or the formation of a cocoon by a caterpillar.

3. Also called spin casting, spin fishing, thread-line fishing.  Angling. the act or technique of casting a relatively light lure attached to a threadlike line wound on a stationary spool.

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spinning ¹ British  

/ ˈspɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the act or process of spinning

   2. ( as modifier )

      spinning yarn

2. the act or technique of casting and drawing a revolving lure through the water so as to imitate the movement of a live fish, etc

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Spinning ² British  

/ ˈspɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. a form of high-intensity exercise using exercise bikes

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Other Word Forms

• nonspinning noun
• spinningly adverb
• unspinning adjective

Etymology

Origin of spinning

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; spin, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In the emergency room, doctors can use a test called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver to diagnose BPPV, by putting the patient into positions that provoke the telltale spinning sensation and eye movements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

After I was finished with my set, several people came up to thank me including one man, a Mexico-based artist named Memo Wright, who drew a live sketch of me spinning, which made my day.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

The first three weeks of March recorded productive candles right at the $100 mark, featuring a doji and two spinning tops.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

A weekly double bottom base could be taking shape and bulls would have been confident that selling pressure was abating with the appearance of a couple of spinning tops and a doji candle.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

But he found himself unmoving, his thoughts spinning around a strangely specific memory.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• orbiting
• swirling
• whirling