spindle
noun
spin·dle
| \ ˈspin-dᵊl
\
\
Definition of spindle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a round stick with tapered ends used to form and twist the yarn in hand spinning
b
: the long slender pin by which the thread is twisted in a spinning wheel
c
: any of various rods or pins holding a bobbin in a textile machine (such as a spinning frame)
d
: the pin in a loom shuttle
e
: a device usually consisting of a long upright pin in a base on which papers can be stuck for filing
— called also spindle file
2
: something shaped like a spindle: such as
a
: a spindle-shaped network of chiefly microtubular fibers along which the chromosomes are distributed during mitosis and meiosis
b
: muscle spindle
3a
: the bar or shaft usually of square section that carries the knobs and actuates the latch or bolt of a lock
b(1)
: a turned often decorative piece (as in a baluster)
(2)
: newel
c(1)
: a revolving piece especially when thinner than a shaft
(2)
: a horizontal or vertical axle revolving on pin or pivot ends
d
: the part of an axle on which a vehicle wheel turns
spindle
verb
spindled;
spindling\ ˈspin(d)-liŋ
, ˈspin-dᵊl-iŋ \
, ˈspin-dᵊl-iŋ \
Definition of spindle (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to shoot or grow into a long slender stalk
2
: to grow to stalk or stem rather than to flower or fruit
1
: to impale, thrust, or perforate on the spike of a spindle file
2
: to make or equip (something, such as a piece of furniture) with spindles
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Other Words from spindle
Verb
spindler
\ ˈspin(d)-lər
, ˈspin-dᵊl-ər \
noun
, ˈspin-dᵊl-ər \
noun
Examples of spindle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Early on, the squiggling line of an EEG readout starts to form kinks called sleep spindles, unfurling across the glowing screens inside sleep labs. — Quanta Magazine, "Researchers Tap a Sleep Switch in the Brain," 14 Feb. 2017 The benches were made of steel and the spindles on them were originally part of the gate at his grandmother’s house. — Lyndi Mcnulty, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "An Eye for Art: Manchester artist fell in love with making ‘something cool out of nothing’," 14 Aug. 2019 Items discovered during the excavation include soapstone from the Shetland Islands, pottery and a bone spindle whorl. — Fox News, "Viking drinking hall discovered on remote Scottish island," 8 Aug. 2019 But one of its spindles was deeply cracked and a piece knocked out while being shipped home by UPS. — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Home security system proved anything but," 21 July 2019 It was equipped with the latest open-end spindles for spinning yarn, but the cloth the plant produced was for export to China — that is, until the tariff wars wiped out $40 million in sales last year. — Don Lee, latimes.com, "Casualty of trade war: Chinese investments in U.S. grind to a halt, blocking new jobs," 1 July 2019 The weighted spindle would spin and twist fibers into yarn. — Linda Gandee/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "19th century life showcased in Avon Lake’s Hike Into History," 16 June 2019 Paths 7, a repudiation of this regret, takes the form of a strikingly symmetrical pile of gold leaf situated just beneath the tip of a drop spindle pendulum. — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "These Engaging, Immersive Works Erase the Line Between Art and Audience," 19 June 2019 Lexus is changing the RX crossover's looks for 2020—but yes, the polarizing spindle grille and aggressive creases remain. — Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, "2020 Lexus RX Sharpens Its Look and Purports to Fix Its Infotainment Issues," 30 May 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spindle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for spindle
spindle
noun
English Language Learners Definition of spindle
: a thin rod or stick with pointed ends that is used in making yarn
: the long, thin pin on a spinning wheel that is used to make thread
: something shaped like a long, thin rod
especially
: a long, thin part of a machine which turns around something or around which something turns
See the full definition for spindle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
spindle
noun
spin·dle
| \ ˈspin-dəl
\
\
Kids Definition of spindle
1
: a slender round rod or stick with narrowed ends by which thread is twisted in spinning and on which it is wound
2
: something (as an axle or shaft) which has a slender round shape and on which something turns
spindle
noun
spin·dle
| \ ˈspin-dᵊl
\
\
Medical Definition of spindle
1
: something shaped like a round stick or pin with tapered ends: as
a
: a network of chiefly microtubular fibers along which the chromosomes are distributed during mitosis and meiosis
b
: muscle spindle
2
: sleep spindle