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

That's because the inch-wide LCD panel simulates the viewing window of a cassette player – including spinning six-toothed spools during playback. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2024

The spools slowly pay out bits of the space balloon, which is about the size of two football fields, as it’s filled with hydrogen. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2024

Verb

The company, which was founded in 2022, is certainly well funded enough to begin spooling up operations, having raised $175 million in series B funding in July. —New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2024

These dynamics are already creating a lot of pressure, and it’s poised to get even more chaotic as Hurricane Milton, which spooled up to category 5 strength this week, heads toward the Florida coast. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 8 Oct. 2024

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

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