noun
Uncommon
coil
koyl
Coil (noun) means something wound into a spiral or helix shape. Example: “He wound the garden hose into a neat coil.”
noun
1
Something wound into a spiral or helix shape.
"He wound the garden hose into a neat coil."
"The electrician replaced the coil of copper wire."
"A coil of smoke rose from the incense stick and drifted across the room."
2
A T-shaped or hormonal intrauterine device used for contraception.
"She had the coil fitted last year."
"Her doctor explained the benefits of the coil compared with taking a daily pill."
"Many women choose the coil because it lasts for several years."
verb
1
To wind something into rings or loops.
"She coiled the rope and hung it on the hook."
"The snake coiled itself around the warm rock and fell asleep."
"He coiled the cable carefully before putting it back in the toolbox."
How to use coil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spiral shape, or the act of winding something into one — also the everyday term for a type of IUD contraceptive.
Common pairings
coil of rope
coil a hose
fit a coil
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Word forms
- Plural
- coils
- Third person singular
- coils
- Past tense
- coiled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wound the garden hose into a neat _____.
Etymology
From Old French coillir, "to gather or pick," ultimately from Latin colligere, "to collect" — the same root that gives us "collect" and "cull."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for coil
See all rhymes for coil →Frequently asked questions
What does “coil” mean?
The word “coil” means something wound into a spiral or helix shape. In plain terms, a spiral shape, or the act of winding something into one — also the everyday term for a type of IUD contraceptive.
How do you pronounce “coil”?
“Coil” is pronounced koyl (/kɔɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “coil” in a sentence?
Here is “coil” used in a sentence: “He wound the garden hose into a neat coil.”
What part of speech is “coil”?
Depending on how it is used, “coil” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “coil” come from?
The word “coil” comes from Latin. From Old French coillir, "to gather or pick," ultimately from Latin colligere, "to collect" — the same root that gives us "collect" and "cull.".
Is “coil” a common word?
“Coil” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “coil” have?
“Coil” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something wound into a spiral or helix shape.
What is the difference between a coil and a spring?
A coil is anything wound into a spiral or helix shape, which is a broad description covering many objects, while a spring is a specific coiled object designed to store and release mechanical energy through elasticity. Every spring is typically coil-shaped, but not every coil functions as a spring.
What is 'the coil' in the context of contraception?
In contraception, 'the coil' is an informal name for an intrauterine device, a small T-shaped or hormonal device fitted inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. This is a specialized medical use of the general word coil.
Can 'coil' be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, coil works as a noun for the spiral shape itself and as a verb meaning to wind something into rings or loops, as in 'coil the rope.' The verb describes the action of creating the noun's shape.
