loop

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlüp 

1

a

: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked

b

: such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament

2

a

: something shaped like or suggestive of a loop

b

: a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane

3

: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch

4

a

: a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously

b

: a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images

a drum loop

5

: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached

6

: a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making

out of the policy loop

7

: a closed electric circuit

8

: a sports league

loop

2 of 3

verb

looped; looping; loops

intransitive verb

1

: to make or form a loop

2

: to move in loops or in an arc

3

: to execute a loop in an airplane

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a loop in, on, or about

b

: to fasten with a loop

2

: to cause to move in an arc

3

: to join (two courses of loops) in knitting

4

: to connect (electric conductors) so as to complete a loop

loop

3 of 3

noun (2)

archaic

: loophole sense 2a

Phrases

for a loop

: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress

the news threw us for a loop

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• hoop
• ring
• band
• circle
• belt
• round

Examples of loop in a Sentence

Noun (1)

cut the paper into narrow strips, and then paste those into loops

Verb

The road loops around the pond.

The necklace is long enough to loop twice around my neck.

She looped a string around her finger.

He sat with his arms looped around his knees.

The ball looped over the shortstop's head into left field for a single.

The batter hit a looping single to left field.

The batter looped a single to left field.

The quarterback looped a pass downfield.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet, this strategy stumbles when confronted with the complexity of human systems, where relationships and feedback loops defy neat separation and where interventions often yield unpredictable consequences. —Dr. Alex Gold, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

In the middle of uncertainty, Smith prioritizes structured feedback loops, direct action and unfiltered communication with both clients and staff. —Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025

Verb

Garrett left that second splitter up, and Ozuna looped it down the left-field line to score three. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 June 2025

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a 1,100-mile road trip that loops around that lake. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English loupe, of unknown origin

Noun (2)

Middle English loupe; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing loop

• closed loop
• ground loop
• Henle's loop
• in the loop
• knock for a loop
• Lippes loop
• loop of Henle
• loop the loop
• open loop
• out of the loop
• the loop
• throw (someone) for a loop
• toe loop

Rhymes for loop

• coop
• coupe
• croup
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• lupe
• oop
• poop
• roop

Kids Definition

loop

1 of 2 noun

ˈlüp 

1

: a fold or doubling of a line through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked

2

: a loop-shaped ornament, figure, bend, course, or device

a loop in a river

3

: a circular airplane maneuver involving flying upside down

4

: a complete electric circuit

5

: a piece of motion-picture film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined together to project or play back the same things continuously

6

: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated usually until a requirement for ending is met

loop

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make or form a loop

2

a

: to make a loop in, on, or about

b

: to fasten with a loop

3

: to perform a loop in an airplane

Medical Definition

loop

noun

ˈlüp 

1

: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed

2

a

: something (as an anatomical part) shaped like a loop see loop of henle lippes loop

b

: a surgical electrode in the form of a loop

3

: a fingerprint in which some of the papillary ridges make a single backward turn without any twist

4

: a wire usually of platinum bent at one end into a small loop (usually four millimeters in inside diameter) and used in transferring microorganisms