coil

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkȯi(-ə)l 

1

: turmoil

2

: trouble

also : everyday cares and worries

when we have shuffled off this mortal coil

—William Shakespeare

coil

2 of 3

verb

coiled; coiling; coils

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circular or spiral course

2

: to form or lie in a coil

coilability

ˌkȯi-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

coil

3 of 3

noun (2)

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

: induction coil

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

The 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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• stir
• disturbance
• commotion
• racket
• hurry
• turmoil
• noise
• fuss
• storm
• row
• hurricane
• clatter

Verb

• curl
• wind
• curve

Examples 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

Noun

Curly fries, when done correctly, are crisp through each coil. —Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025

Brand ambassadors, hairstylists, and scientists were on-site to answer questions and celebrate every curl, kink, and coil. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 5 July 2025

Verb

Meanwhile, a Central Texas woman was bitten by a rat snake coiled under her toilet seat in December. —Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025

Her long brown hair is coiled into a bun atop her head, and a thick wall of bangs grazes the edge of her straight eyebrows. —Julie Kim, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Verb

French coillir, cuillir to gather — more at cull

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing coil

• choke coil
• induction coil
• Tesla coil

Rhymes for coil

• boil
• broil
• foil
• oil
• roil
• soil
• spoil
• toil
• voile
• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• hydrofoil

Kids Definition

coil

1 of 2 verb

ˈkȯil 

1

: 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 noun

1

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

: induction coil

3

: a series of connected pipes (as in water-heating apparatus) in rows, layers, or windings

Medical Definition

coil

noun

ˈkȯi(ə)l 

: intrauterine device