spool

1 of 2

noun

ˈspül 

1

: a cylindrical device which has a rim or ridge at each end and an axial hole for a pin or spindle and on which material (such as thread, wire, or tape) is wound

2

: material or the amount of material wound on a spool

spool

2 of 2

verb

spooled; spooling; spools

transitive verb

1

: to wind on a spool

2

: wind entry 3

spool the thread off the bobbin

3

: to regulate the transmission of by means of a spooler

spool data

intransitive verb

1

: to wind itself on a spool

2

: to be wound or unwound

3

: to regulate data flow by means of a spooler

Examples of spool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Additionally, the oil burner should get better fuel mileage than a small-block, and maybe even the TurboMax four-cylinder, as that thing drinks fuel when the turbo spools. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 17 June 2026

Loading is easy, with front access and passive rollers, but the lack of back tension means spools can loosen and unspool slightly inside the chamber. —Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026

Verb

Evans was pitching a cut shad bait using a Rapala Rod paired with a Shimano reel spooled with 30-pound Stren line. —Ken Perrotte, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

First Light joins the world of James Bond as work is spooling up on the upcoming Amazon James Bond reboot, where the first film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spole, from Middle Dutch spoele; akin to Old High German spuola spool

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for spool

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• mule
• pool
• poul
• rule
• school

Kids Definition

spool

noun

ˈspül

1

: a cylinder which has a rim at each end and on which something (as thread, wire, or tape) is wound

2

: material wound on a spool