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 of coil

Noun (1)

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

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

Using a heat pump, the extensively insulated magnet system expels heat to allow the coils to power up at temperatures as low as 77 kelvin, or -321 degrees Fahrenheit. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 July 2026

Current through one coil induces a magnetic field in the other, transmitting a data signal. — IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026

Verb

For example, a gardener may not see a snake coiled among the plants. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

As highlighted by the white circle on the chart, the MACD indicator is currently tightly coiled. — Nishant Pant, CNBC, 7 July 2026

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