loop

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked
b
: such a fold of cord or ribbon serving as an ornament
2
a
: something shaped like or suggestive of a loop
b
: a circular airplane maneuver executed in the vertical plane
3
: a ring or curved piece used to form a fastening, handle, or catch
4
a
: a piece of film or magnetic tape whose ends are spliced together so as to project or play back the same material continuously
b
: a continuously repeated segment of music, dialogue, or images
a drum loop
5
: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated until a terminating condition is reached
6
: a select well-informed inner circle that is influential in decision making
out of the policy loop
7
: a closed electric circuit
8
: a sports league

loop

2 of 3

verb

looped; looping; loops

intransitive verb

1
: to make or form a loop
2
: to move in loops or in an arc
3
: to execute a loop in an airplane

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a loop in, on, or about
b
: to fasten with a loop
2
: to cause to move in an arc
3
: to join (two courses of loops) in knitting
4
: to connect (electric conductors) so as to complete a loop

loop

3 of 3

noun (2)

archaic
Phrases
for a loop
: into a state of amazement, confusion, or distress
the news threw us for a loop

Examples of loop in a Sentence

Verb The road loops around the pond. The necklace is long enough to loop twice around my neck. She looped a string around her finger. He sat with his arms looped around his knees. The ball looped over the shortstop's head into left field for a single. The batter hit a looping single to left field. The batter looped a single to left field. The quarterback looped a pass downfield.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Knappe said that for the smaller volume of liquids that landfills produce, this loop might work for now. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 Many are short loops and connectors, so there’s a natural magnetism for impulsive side trips. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Now the big question is whether all the regulators pulling on the buckles and loops of Boeing’s straitjacket, with a potential yank from Justice to come, will seriously delay what looked like the start of strong comeback. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Beyond releasing more nutrients for more trees and shrubs to grow—a sort of self-perpetuating feedback loop—permafrost is also releasing planet-warming gases, driving still more warming: The microbes feeding on that ancient plant material release carbon dioxide and methane as byproducts. Matt Simon, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024 This one isn't a loop, but like the Monon, this paved trail — the first for Beech Grove — has plenty to see along the way. Jen Guadarrama, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Mar. 2024 This feedback loop can enable leaders to make necessary adjustments. Sandy Harvey, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 From the main entrance, follow the Port Bougainville (Port B) Trail, which has a loop choice of one or two miles. Emma Janssen, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 When not in use, the shell stows into its own right-hand pocket and includes a carabiner clip loop for attaching it to your backpack. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Indeed, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the major sports leagues were all caught off guard by the announcement of the joint venture, though executives at the media companies endeavored to reach out and loop them in a few hours before it was revealed. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 Content that’s been edited without using AI, like looping or reversing a video clip, could be misleading to the average user but isn’t prohibited. TIME, 5 Feb. 2024 The route goes through the heart of Union Square, turning right on Powell Street, then makes a quick right on Post Street to loop back. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 Gauff had defeated Sabalenka in the U.S. Open final last summer by playing remarkable defense—chasing down balls along the baseline and looping shots back to buy her time to get back into position. Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2024 Runners will then loop back across the bridge and down the Ohio River Trail before returning to the 20 block of West Freedom Way to finish, where there will be a post-race party. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 For company cultures to integrate successfully, middle managers benefit from being looped in earlier to begin fostering that cultural assimilation on day one. Jennifer J Fondrevay, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The second leg then loops back to Lexington, Kentucky. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2024 Specific failures The governor asked the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate DuPree’s background, but the agency didn’t loop in the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, which typically is involved, the report said. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English loupe, of unknown origin

Noun (2)

Middle English loupe; perhaps akin to Middle Dutch lupen to watch, peer

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1832, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near loop

Cite this Entry

“Loop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loop. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

loop

1 of 2 noun
1
: a fold or doubling of a line through which another line can be passed or into which a hook may be hooked
2
: a loop-shaped ornament, figure, bend, course, or device
a loop in a river
3
: a circular airplane maneuver involving flying upside down
4
: a complete electric circuit
5
: a piece of motion-picture film or magnetic tape whose ends are joined together to project or play back the same things continuously
6
: a series of instructions (as for a computer) that is repeated usually until a requirement for ending is met

loop

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make or form a loop
2
a
: to make a loop in, on, or about
b
: to fasten with a loop
3
: to perform a loop in an airplane

Medical Definition

loop

noun
1
: a curving or doubling of a line so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed
2
a
: something (as an anatomical part) shaped like a loop see loop of henle lippes loop
b
: a surgical electrode in the form of a loop
3
: a fingerprint in which some of the papillary ridges make a single backward turn without any twist
4
: a wire usually of platinum bent at one end into a small loop (usually four millimeters in inside diameter) and used in transferring microorganisms

More from Merriam-Webster on loop

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