loop

noun \ ˈlüp \

Examples: loop in a Sentence

Definition of loop

archaic

: loophole 1a

Origin and Etymology of loop

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

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loop

noun

Definition of loop

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 closed electric circuit

5 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

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

7 : a sports league

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

out of the policy loop

— for a loop

: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress

the news threw us for a loop

Origin and Etymology of loop

Middle English loupe, of unknown origin

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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loop

verb

Definition of loop

looped; looping; loops

intransitive verb

1 : to make or form a loop

2 : to execute a loop in an airplane

3 : to move in loops or in an arc

transitive verb

1 a : to make a loop in, on, or about

b : to fasten with a loop

2 : to join (two courses of loops) in knitting

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

4 : to cause to move in an arc

See loop defined for English-language learners

Examples of loop in a Sentence

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.

First Known Use of loop

1832

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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LOOP Defined for English Language Learners

loop

verb

Definition of loop for English Language Learners

: to form or cause (something) to form a loop
: to move or cause (something) to move in a high curving path

LOOP Defined for Kids

loop

noun \ ˈlüp \

Definition of loop for Students

1 : an almost oval form produced when something flexible and thin (as a wire or a rope) crosses over itself

2 : something (as a figure or bend) suggesting a flexible loop

Her letters have large loops.

loop

verb

Definition of loop for Students

looped; looping

1 : to make a circle or loop in

Loop your shoelace.

2 : to form a circle or loop

The road loops around the park.

Medical Dictionary

loop

noun \ ˈlüp \

medical Definition of loop

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