spool

1 of 2

noun

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
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
Other craft or gift wrap supplies that come with a spool design, such as ribbon, twine, or washi tape, can also be slipped onto a tension rod for the same result. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026 Never tested in orbit, NASA’s robot could, in theory, perform tasks like weaving solar power stations and antennae in space from spools of carbon fiber. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
One solution has been fiber-optic drones, which connect to their operators through long cables spooling out of their tails. Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 As always, my rig was a Reilly's Rod Crafters 3-weight Kildare rod and a Sage reel spooled with 3-weight Rio floating line. Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spool

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spool. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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

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