helix

noun

he·​lix ˈhē-liks 

plural helices ˈhe-lə-ˌsēz  ˈhē-  also helixes ˈhē-lik-səz 

1

: something spiral in form: such as

a

: an ornamental volute

b

: a coil formed by winding wire around a uniform tube

2

: the incurved rim of the external ear

3

: a curve traced on a cylinder or cone by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle

broadly : spiral sense 1b

Examples of helix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hidden helix Courtesy of Studs Courtesy of Robbie Milian/@nyc.piercing Robbie Milian, a piercer at Refinery7 in New York City, predicts that unique helix piercings, particularly the hidden helix, will become more popular in 2025. —Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 25 Jan. 2025

The viewing areas on stadium helixes allow fans to see various parts of the track from one location. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

The shape of the dish was important, because when an ordinary wave of radiation from the antenna horn struck it, what reflected off was a wave whose phase was shifted into the shape of a continuous helix, corresponding to an orbital angular momentum of 1. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 Apr. 2012

Plus: Rowan offers ear piercings beyond just the lobe, including the helix and tragus — a trend that's popular not only with teens, but increasingly their moms as well. —Linh Ta, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek; akin to Greek eilyein to roll, wrap — more at voluble

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing helix

• alpha-helix
• double helix

Rhymes for helix

• felix

Kids Definition

helix

noun

he·​lix ˈhē-liks 

plural helices ˈhel-ə-ˌsēz 

ˈhē-lə-

also helixes ˈhē-lik-səz 

: a curve that is formed by a point rotating around a straight line and moving forward in a direction parallel to that line compare double helix

helical

ˈhel-i-kəl

ˈhē-li-

adjective

Medical Definition

helix

noun

he·​lix ˈhē-liks 

plural helices ˈhel-ə-ˌsēz  ˈhē-lə-  also helixes ˈhē-lik-səz 

1

: the incurved rim of the external ear

2

: a curve traced on a cylinder by the rotation of a point crossing its right sections at a constant oblique angle

broadly : spiral sense 2 see alpha-helix, double helix