Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense loops, present participle looping, past tense, past participle looped
1. countable noun
A loop is a curved or circular shape in something long, for example in a piece of string.
Mrs. Morrell reached for a loop of garden hose.
Synonyms: curve, ring, circle, bend More Synonyms of loop
2. verb
If you loop something such as a piece of rope around an object, you tie a length of it in a loop around the object, for example in order to fasten it tothe object.
He looped the rope over the wood. [VERB noun preposition]
He wore the watch and chain looped round his neck like a medallion. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: twist, turn, join, roll More Synonyms of loop
3. verb
If something loops somewhere, it goes there in a circular direction that makes the shape of a loop.
The enemy was looping around the south side. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The helicopter took off and headed north. Then it looped west, heading for the hills. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: turn, roll, circle, bend More Synonyms of loop
4.
See be in the loop
loop in British English1
(luːp)
noun
1.
the round or oval shape formed by a line, string, etc, that curves around to cross itself
2.
any round or oval-shaped thing that is closed or nearly closed
3.
a piece of material, such as string, curved round and fastened to form a ring or handle for carrying by
4.
an intrauterine contraceptive device in the shape of a loop
5. electronics
a.
a closed electric or magnetic circuit through which a signal can circulate
b. short for loop aerial
6.
a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft flies one complete circle in the vertical plane
7. Also called: loop line mainly British
a railway branch line which leaves the main line and rejoins it after a short distance
8. mathematics, physics
a closed curve on a graph
hysteresis loop
9. another name for antinode
10. anatomy
a.
the most common basic pattern of the human fingerprint, formed by several sharply rising U-shaped ridges
Compare arch1 (sense 4b), whorl (sense 3)
b.
a bend in a tubular structure, such as the U-shaped curve in a kidney tubule (Henle's loop or loop of Henle)
11. computing
a series of instructions in a program, performed repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied
12. skating
a jump in which the skater takes off from a back outside edge, makes one, two, or three turns in the air, and lands on the same back outside edge
13.
a group of people to whom information is circulated (esp in the phrases inorout of the loop)
verb
14. (transitive)
to make a loop in or of (a line, string, etc)
15. (transitive)
to fasten or encircle with a loop or something like a loop
16. Also: loop the loop
to cause (an aircraft) to perform a loop or (of an aircraft) to perform a loop
17. (intransitive)
to move in loops or in a path like a loop
Word origin
C14: loupe, origin unknown
loop in British English2
(luːp)
noun
an archaic word for loophole
Word origin
C14: perhaps related to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer
loop in American English1
(lup)
noun
1.
a.
the more or less circular figure formed by a line, thread, wire, etc. that curves back to cross itself
b.
a noose
2.
anything having or forming this figure
the loop of a written l
3.
a sharp bend, as in a mountain road, which almost comes back upon itself
4.
a ring-shaped fastening or ornament
loops for a belt
5.
a plastic intrauterine contraceptive device
usually with the
6.
a segment of film or magnetic tape joined end to end to form a continuous strip for endless repetition in mixing or dubbing sound
7.
a system consisting of a series of operations or activities in which each depends on the outcome of the previous one; esp., such a system in which the result of a later operation affects an earlieroperation, providing continuous feedback
8. Aeronautics
a looplike airplane maneuver flown in a vertical plane
9. Computing
a sequence of program instructions that are repeatedly executed until certain conditions are reached
10. Electricity
a complete circuit
11. Physics
the part of a vibrating string, air column, etc. between the nodes; antinode
verb transitive
12.
to make a loop or loops in or of
13.
to wrap around one or more times
loop the wire around the post
14.
to fasten with a loop or loops
to loop curtains back
15.
to dub in or rerecord dialogue or other sound into (a film)
16. Electricity
to join (conductors) so as to complete a circuit
verb intransitive
17.
to form into a loop or loops
18.
to progress as a measuring worm does by alternately straightening the body and drawing it up into a loop
19. Aeronautics
to perform a loop or loops
Idioms:
in the loop
loop the loop
the Loop
Word origin
ME loup < Anglo-N forms corresponding to ON hlaup, a leap, hlaupa, to run (akin to leap) > Dan løbe(knude), lit., running (knot)
loop in American English2
(lup)
noun
Archaic
a narrow opening or loophole
Word origin
ME loupe, prob. < MDu lupen, to peer
More idioms containing
loop
in the loop
out of the loop
throw someone for a loop
Examples of 'loop' in a sentence
loop
Ideal conditions will include lack of wind, cool temperatures and a looped course with no sharp bends.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At last it is decided that to avoid the strong currents they'll have to take a longer loop around the headland to reach the shore.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Before I have a chance to ask what he means by this, he loops back to the original question.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This feedback loop can produce record cold nights.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Losing too much altitude is no problem if the loop is performed high enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They take a rope and make two loops in it.
The Sun (2014)
The present loops back into the past without warning.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The same cyclist returned to me on the back of the same long loop.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You loop one end of a strap through the handle of your bag and let it dangle.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Can you open your mind to the closed loop?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Now attach a line to the loop and go out and fly it!
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Tie three loops of string around the belly of the fish to hold the filling in place.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And fire itself is part of yet another positive feedback loop.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
Make a loop of wire that will fit round your head.
The Sun (2014)
Passing around such a device would loop you back in time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
So it is a long loop of a narrative.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Knot it in half and make a bow and pull one loop taut onto your nail.
The Sun (2012)
British tennis continues in its closed feedback loop of smugness and failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You know that game where you have to move a loop along an electrified wire without touching the wire?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is no standard loop move.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Witnesses said the pilot had been trying to perform a loop but had emerged from the manoeuvre too close to the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Today she seems to be sketching, her pencil scratching away at loops and lines.
Christianity Today (2000)
I looped the rope around the railing.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The bed stood in one corner, a rough wooden frame hooked to the wall and ropes looping back and forth to support a mattress.
Christina Dodd SOMEDAY MY PRINCE (1999)
Word lists with
loop
terms used in aviation
In other languages
loop
British English: loop NOUN
A loop is a curved or circular shape in something long, for example in a piece of string.