spool
2 synonyms for spool, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A cylinder that thread, wire, film, or cable is wound around.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use spool
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
spool of thread
print spooling
Etymology
From Middle Dutch spoele, related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to split" — likely referring to the split wood spools were originally made from.
Full origin of spool →Frequently asked questions
What does “spool” mean?
The word “spool” means a cylinder that thread, wire, film, or cable is wound around. In plain terms, a reel that thread or cable winds around, or (in computing) to queue a job like a print request.
How do you pronounce “spool”?
“Spool” is pronounced spool (/spuːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “spool” in a sentence?
Here is “spool” used in a sentence: “She threaded a fresh spool of cotton onto the sewing machine.”
What part of speech is “spool”?
Depending on how it is used, “spool” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spool” come from?
The word “spool” comes from Proto-Germanic. From Middle Dutch spoele, related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to split" — likely referring to the split wood spools were originally made from.
How many meanings does “spool” have?
“Spool” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cylinder that thread, wire, film, or cable is wound around.
