spool

1 of 2

noun

1
: a cylindrical device which has a rim or ridge at each end and an axial hole for a pin or spindle and on which material (such as thread, wire, or tape) is wound
2
: material or the amount of material wound on a spool

spool

2 of 2

verb

spooled; spooling; spools

transitive verb

1
: to wind on a spool
2
: wind entry 3
spool the thread off the bobbin
3
: to regulate the transmission of by means of a spooler
spool data

intransitive verb

1
: to wind itself on a spool
2
: to be wound or unwound
3
: to regulate data flow by means of a spooler

Examples of spool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Inside, massive rolls of aluminum coil are unwound, stretched, and spun on rows of spools and looms. Noam Levey, NPR, 17 Sep. 2024 That's because the inch-wide LCD panel simulates the viewing window of a cassette player – including spinning six-toothed spools during playback. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
Sign up The story of Keira and Max keeps spooling back: to the first human heart transplant in South Africa in 1967, performed by Christiaan Barnard; to the development of life-support machines in the 1950s. The Week Uk, theweek, 24 Oct. 2024 The Penguin will air this week after receiving rave reviews, exactly the kind of thing WB and DC want to see in the wake of the destruction of the DCEU, and before James Gunn’s DCU has spooled up. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spool 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spole, from Middle Dutch spoele; akin to Old High German spuola spool

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spool was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spool

Cite this Entry

“Spool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spool. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spool

noun
ˈspül
1
: a cylinder which has a rim at each end and on which something (as thread, wire, or tape) is wound
2
: material wound on a spool

More from Merriam-Webster on spool

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!