coil

1 of 3

verb

ˈkȯi(-ə)l 

coiled; coiling; coils

transitive verb

1

: to wind into rings or spirals

coil a rope

2

: to roll or twist into a shape resembling a coil

coiled herself up on the couch

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circular or spiral course

2

: to form or lie in a coil

coilability

ˌkȯi-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

coil

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural coils

1

a(1)

: a series of loops

(2)

: spiral

b

: a single loop of such a coil

2

a

: a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil

b

: induction coil

3

: a series of connected pipes in rows, layers, or windings

4

: a roll of postage stamps

also : a stamp from such a roll

5

medical : intrauterine device

That means no condoms, no pills, no coils or sterilization …

—Christine M. Flowers

The IUD or 'coil' is a small plastic (or plastic and copper) device, not much longer than a match, which is placed inside your womb, where it prevents you from getting pregnant. It's often called a 'coil' because most of the original IUDs were coil-shaped.

—David Delvin

coil

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: turmoil

2

: trouble

also : everyday cares and worries

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms of coil

Verb

• curl
• wind
• curve

Noun (2)

• disturbance
• stir
• commotion
• racket
• hurry
• noise
• turmoil
• fuss
• storm
• row
• hurricane

Examples of coil in a Sentence

Verb

She coiled the loose thread around her finger.

A long scarf was coiled around her neck.

The cat coiled up into a ball.

The snake coiled around its prey.

Noun (2)

amidst the coil of the office renovations, we even managed to get some work done

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

An alarmed individual may coil its body and open its mouth in an attempt to appear more intimidating. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

The lights dangled from white beams, their power cables coiled and hanging like tails. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

Planar coils simplify stellarator engineering Stellarators use magnetic fields to confine the extremely hot plasma required for fusion. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Forced-fan fireplaces, which are more common, circulate air over a heating coil and force it back out to heat the room. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French coillir, cuillir to gather — more at cull

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coil

• choke coil
• induction coil
• Tesla coil

Rhymes for coil

• boil
• broil
• foil
• oil
• roil
• soil
• spoil
• toil
• voile
• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• hydrofoil

Kids Definition

coil

1 of 2 verb

ˈkȯil 

1

: to wind into or lie in loops, rings, or a spiral

2

: to move in a circular, spiral, or winding direction

coil

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a series of loops : spiral

b

: a single loop of a coil

2

a

: a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil

b

: induction coil

3

: a series of connected pipes (as in water-heating apparatus) in rows, layers, or windings

Medical Definition

coil

noun

ˈkȯi(ə)l 

: intrauterine device