spool

1 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Elmqvist swapped out the mirror for a small, moveable glass nozzle that continuously sprayed a thin stream of liquid onto a spool of paper. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Aug. 2025 Amanda Knox: Exoneration is just the beginning Among fellow speakers, Knox spotted another woman whose narrative had gotten away from her like a bouncing spool of thread, weaving an uncontrollable trail: Monica Lewinsky. Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
The easily accessible velocity feels intoxicating and is accentuated with a rich sonic layer cake: the whoosh of air sucking into the engine, the hiss of spooling turbos, the chuff of blowoff valves, and the deep-bass thrum of combustion pulsing through a large trapezoidal exhaust vane. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2025 Using a custom Blue Ridge musky rod and a baitcaster spooled with 80-pound braid and a steel leader, Norgrove was throwing an Angry Dragon, a flashy, extra-long bait with a heavy duty blade. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spool

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spool. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on spool

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