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
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
Not only does this increase the carbon output of many factories, but the most effective way to use coils is to place them directly in the gas stream, which can wreak havoc on the components.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
These widows were little sparrows and Ma Binney a hawk, her hair long and cloud white with the end of her braid coiled into the breast pocket of her jacket.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coil
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Noun
When selecting an innerspring mattress, look for pocketed coils, which move independently to improve motion isolation.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
Not only does this increase the carbon output of many factories, but the most effective way to use coils is to place them directly in the gas stream, which can wreak havoc on the components.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Overnight, the smoke coiled upward and gave way to acid rain that stained the city black.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
These widows were little sparrows and Ma Binney a hawk, her hair long and cloud white with the end of her braid coiled into the breast pocket of her jacket.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coil
Cite this Entry
“Coil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coil. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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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