loop

1 of 3

noun (1)

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
Phrases
for a loop
: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress
the news threw us for a loop

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
When a small additional camping loop was added east of the existing loops in 1969 a replacement bathroom was constructed in the upper campground. Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 2 Oct. 2024 On the inside of the duvet, each corner has snap-closure loops to easily secure your comforter or duvet insert, along with easy-to-undo coconut-shell buttons that add a handsome touch. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
Advertisement Climate & Environment California enacts unprecedented restrictions on rat poisons in bid to protect wildlife Oct. 1, 2024 Another top aim of the law is to loop cities and counties into a statewide effort to protect the movement of wildlife. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 Much like food or fashion trends, technology goes through cycles every 15 to 20 years, often looping back to revive or reimagine existing components. Luca Maraschi, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for loop 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of loop was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near loop

Cite this Entry

“Loop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loop. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

loop

1 of 2 noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on loop

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