coiled; coiling; coils
1
: to wind into rings or spirals
coil a rope
2
: to roll or twist into a shape resembling a coil
coiled herself up on the couch
plural coils
1
a(1)
: a series of loops
(2)
: spiral
b
: a single loop of such a coil
2
a
: a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil
b
3
: a series of connected pipes in rows, layers, or windings
4
: a roll of postage stamps
also
: a stamp from such a roll
5
medical
: intrauterine device
That means no condoms, no pills, no coils or sterilization …—
Christine M. Flowers
Christine M. FlowersThe IUD or 'coil' is a small plastic (or plastic and copper) device, not much longer than a match, which is placed inside your womb, where it prevents you from getting pregnant. It's often called a 'coil' because most of the original IUDs were coil-shaped.—David Delvin
David DelvinExamples of coil in a Sentence
Noun (1)
amidst the coil of the office renovations, we even managed to get some work done
Verb
She coiled the loose thread around her finger.
A long scarf was coiled around her neck.
The cat coiled up into a ball.
The snake coiled around its prey.
Recent Examples on the Web
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
The heat pump compressor moves refrigerant through the coils to capture or release heat.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2025
Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
Over the past century, snakes have figured prominently in jewelry, as their tails, long and linear or tight and coiled, lend themselves well to earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coil
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Noun
But per White’s norm, each is so clearly delineated and well-cast that the largesse never gets confusing or overwhelming as the stories intertwine and coil and slither around each other like a nest of snakes.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
The heat pump compressor moves refrigerant through the coils to capture or release heat.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
Touch the barrel to the end of your hair and slowly pull it up towards your head, and the airflow will coil your hair around the barrel while drying it.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
Over the past century, snakes have figured prominently in jewelry, as their tails, long and linear or tight and coiled, lend themselves well to earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.
—Victoria Gomelsky, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coil
Cite this Entry
“Coil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coil. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coil
1 of 2 verb1
: to wind into or lie in loops, rings, or a spiral
2
: to move in a circular, spiral, or winding direction
coil
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a series of loops : spiral
b
: a single loop of a coil
2
a
: a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil
b
3
: a series of connected pipes (as in water-heating apparatus) in rows, layers, or windings
Medical Definition
coil
nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
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