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

At reuse centers, crafters can collect a few ribbons and fabric scraps instead of entire spools or bolts. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Tortelloni alla Napoletana features five spools of pasta filled with a rich short rib puree, with fresh sage butter. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Verb

Rods with substantial backbone and reels spooled with strong line and even stronger leaders are essential. — Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

After a seemingly interminable break for Wednesday, which saw a dramatic drop for season 2 viewership, the show spooled up production on season 3 right after the second season was streaming. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 July 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