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

The final cut could be expected to weigh roughly five hundred pounds, and would require a hydraulic lift to be placed on the spool from which it would be projected. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Furthermore, under the pressure of a giant marlin or tuna, that extra-wide spool was known to flex slightly, putting extra strain on the gears that would lead to a multitude of problems. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025

Verb

Old tapestries spool from the bags onto the floor, different moments in Congolese history twisted together. —Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025

Why is this movie getting so much attention, and a movie spooling up this quickly? —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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