loop

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked
b
: such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament
2
a
: something shaped like or suggestive of a loop
b
: a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane
3
: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch
4
a
: a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously
b
: a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images
a drum loop
5
: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached
6
: a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making
out of the policy loop
7
: a closed electric circuit
8
: a sports league

loop

2 of 3

verb

looped; looping; loops

intransitive verb

1
: to make or form a loop
2
: to move in loops or in an arc
3
: to execute a loop in an airplane

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a loop in, on, or about
b
: to fasten with a loop
2
: to cause to move in an arc
3
: to join (two courses of loops) in knitting
4
: to connect (electric conductors) so as to complete a loop

loop

3 of 3

noun (2)

archaic
Phrases
for a loop
: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress
the news threw us for a loop

Examples of loop in a Sentence

Noun (1) cut the paper into narrow strips, and then paste those into loops Verb The road loops around the pond. The necklace is long enough to loop twice around my neck. She looped a string around her finger. He sat with his arms looped around his knees. The ball looped over the shortstop's head into left field for a single. The batter hit a looping single to left field. The batter looped a single to left field. The quarterback looped a pass downfield.
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
Domingo is perhaps best known for his eloquence, but here, he’s caught in a loop, grasping for the right thing to say. Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 The music video stars the pygmy hippopotamus, who lives at a zoo in Thailand, bouncing around in her trademark style in a loop. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Missing an island or point of interest means waiting a full minute or longer for Shipshape to loop around the currents and bring it back into view again. Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 The splitting and merging of particles in more complicated interactions translate into surfaces with holes for the curves to loop around, but the procedure remains the same. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for loop 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English loupe, of unknown origin

Noun (2)

Middle English loupe; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near loop

Cite this Entry

“Loop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loop. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

loop

1 of 2 noun
1
: a fold or doubling of a line through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked
2
: a loop-shaped ornament, figure, bend, course, or device
a loop in a river
3
: a circular airplane maneuver involving flying upside down
4
: a complete electric circuit
5
: a piece of motion-picture film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined together to project or play back the same things continuously
6
: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated usually until a requirement for ending is met

loop

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make or form a loop
2
a
: to make a loop in, on, or about
b
: to fasten with a loop
3
: to perform a loop in an airplane

Medical Definition

loop

noun
1
: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed
2
a
: something (as an anatomical part) shaped like a loop see loop of henle lippes loop
b
: a surgical electrode in the form of a loop
3
: a fingerprint in which some of the papillary ridges make a single backward turn without any twist
4
: a wire usually of platinum bent at one end into a small loop (usually four millimeters in inside diameter) and used in transferring microorganisms

More from Merriam-Webster on loop

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