1
a
: winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it
the spiral curve of a watch spring
b
: helical
c
: spiral-bound
a spiral notebook
2
: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements
1
a
: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it
b
: a three-dimensional curve (such as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form as:
a
b(1)
: a spiral flight
(2)
: a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
4
: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease
wage spirals
spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling
: to go and especially to rise or fall in a spiral course
costs spiraled upward
Examples of spiral in a Sentence
Adjective
a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty
Noun
The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field.
The quarterback threw a tight spiral to the receiver.
Verb
Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.
The airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed.
The unemployment rate has been spiraling upward.
The stock market is spiraling downward.
Let's deal with this crisis before it spirals out of control.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
The dress was crafted with thick, halter-style straps and three spiral rosette appliqués.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 June 2026
In videos posted to social media, fireworks can be seen spewing from the truck as a thick plume of black smoke spirals into the sky.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
The fifth inning had already begun to spiral on him.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiral
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Adjective
Each episode centers around a new ‘book of the week,’ ranging from science fiction epics and romantasy sensations, to literary classics and underground cult favorites, before the conversations spiral far beyond the page.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
The dress was crafted with thick, halter-style straps and three spiral rosette appliqués.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Noun
Cellphone video shows fireworks rocketing spectacularly from the trailer as dark smoke spirals into the sky.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 June 2026
In videos posted to social media, fireworks can be seen spewing from the truck as a thick plume of black smoke spirals into the sky.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Verb
If worries spiral, write them down in clear language, then choose a practical fix and a simple ritual to restore steady rhythm.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
The fifth inning had already begun to spiral on him.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spiral
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a curve in a plane that winds around a point while getting closer to or farther away from it
b
: a curve (as a helix) in space that winds around an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form
spiral
3 of 3 verb
spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling
: to move in a spiral path
Medical Definition
spiral
2 of 2 noun1
: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it
2
: a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
the double spiral of DNA
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