helix

noun

he·lix | \ ˈhē-liks

plural helices\ ˈhe-lə-ˌsēz

, ˈhē- \ also helixes\ ˈhē-lik-səz

Definition of helix

1 : something spiral in form: such as

a : an ornamental volute

b : a coil formed by winding wire around a uniform tube

2 : the incurved rim of the external ear

3 : a curve traced on a cylinder or cone by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle broadly : spiral sense 1b

Examples of helix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That's cool, but such an approach cannot build complex structures like DNA helixes or hollow tubes. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Honey, I Shrunk Everything: MIT Scientists Can Shrink Objects to the Nanoscale," 18 Dec. 2018 The steel helix expands like a tornado from the middle of the room, covered in fluorescent fish. — Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Unseen Oceans: How the American Museum of Natural History Builds a New Exhibit," 21 June 2018 Motorists will also have another major disruption to contend with the year after the Route 495 work is completed: the replacement of the helix leading down into the Lincoln Tunnel, tentatively scheduled to begin 2022 and last about five years. — David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018 Motorists will also have another major disruption to contend with the year after the Route 495 work is completed: the replacement of the helix leading down into the Lincoln Tunnel, tentatively scheduled to begin 2022 and last about five years. — David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018 Motorists will also have another major disruption to contend with the year after the Route 495 work is completed: the replacement of the helix leading down into the Lincoln Tunnel, tentatively scheduled to begin 2022 and last about five years. — David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018 The nucleotides that comprise DNA (A,T, C, and G) are flat molecules, and they're stacked parallel to each other along the DNA helix. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Bacteria engage in chemical warfare against viruses," 5 Dec. 2018 The helix staircase was removed in 1983 to make way for new elevators, according to the Artcurial auction house. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Eiffel Tower's Original Staircase Is for Sale," 27 Nov. 2018 Motorists will also have another major disruption to contend with the year after the Route 495 work is completed: the replacement of the helix leading down into the Lincoln Tunnel, tentatively scheduled to begin 2022 and last about five years. — David Porter, Fox News, "NYC commuters are spared a nightmare as road project starts," 21 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'helix.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for helix

The first known use of helix was in 1563

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More Definitions for helix

helix

noun

English Language Learners Definition of helix

: the shape formed by a line that curves around and along a central line

See the full definition for helix in the English Language Learners Dictionary

helix

noun

he·lix | \ ˈhē-liks

plural helices\ ˈhel-ə-ˌsēz

, ˈhē-lə-

\ also helixes\ ˈhē-lik-səz

Medical Definition of helix

1 : the incurved rim of the external ear

2 : a curve traced on a cylinder by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle broadly : spiral sense 2 — see alpha-helix, double helix