Meaning

Something wound in the form of a helix or spiral..

Definitions by Sense

1. Something wound in the form of a helix or spiral.
2. Any intrauterine device (abbreviation: IUD)—the first IUDs were coil-shaped.
3. (electronics) A coil of electrically conductive wire through which electricity can flow.
4. A cylinder of clay.
5. (figurative) Entanglement; perplexity.
6. To wind or reel e.g. a wire or rope into regular rings, often around a centerpiece.
7. To wind into loops (roughly) around a common center.
8. To wind cylindrically or spirally.

Example Sentences

the sinuous coils of a snake

The wild grapevines that twisted their coils or tendrils from tree to tree.

‘I’m gonna go on the pill and get fitted for a coil. I don’t wanna be pregnant. Ever. Again!’

What trifling coil do we mortals keep; Wake, eat, and drink, evacuate, and sleep.

A simple transformer can be made by coiling two pieces of insulated copper wire around an iron heart.

The sailor coiled the free end of the hawser on the pier.

to coil a rope when not in use

The snake coiled itself before springing.

Word Forms

• coils
• coiling
• coiled

Synonyms for coil

Antonyms for coil

Related Words

When Should You Use Coil?

Use coil when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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