helical

adjective

he·​li·​cal ˈhe-li-kəl  ˈhē- 

: of, relating to, or having the form of a helix

broadly : spiral sense 1a

helically

ˈhe-li-k(ə-)lē 

ˈhē-

adverb

Synonyms of helical

• spiral
• winding

Examples of helical in a Sentence

Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, travels a helical path through space.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Archimedes screw gets a molecular makeover The researchers took inspiration from the Archimedes’ screw, an ancient device with a helical blade inside a cylinder that lifts water (or solids) when rotated. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

After testing roughly 40 prototypes, Brown settled on the final design, featuring patent-pending semi-helical geometry. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

So what to us may look like a distinctive left-twisting helical structure is actually the result of these two layers of fibrils oriented in opposite directions. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

One question is whether the helical structure is also present at the micro- and nanoscale. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin helicālis, from Latin helic-, helix "spiral, helix" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for helical

• pellicle
• evangelical

Medical Definition

helical

adjective

he·​li·​cal ˈhel-i-kəl  ˈhē-li- 

: of, relating to, or having the form of a helix

the helical configuration of DNA

broadly : spiral sense 1a

helically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb