1
a
: winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it
the spiral curve of a watch spring
b
: helical
c
: spiral-bound
a spiral notebook
2
: of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements
1
a
: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it
b
: a three-dimensional curve (such as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form as:
a
b(1)
: a spiral flight
(2)
: a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
4
: a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease
wage spirals
spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling
: to go and especially to rise or fall in a spiral course
costs spiraled upward
Synonyms
Examples of spiral in a Sentence
Adjective
a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty
Noun
The glider flew in a wide spiral over the field.
The quarterback threw a tight spiral to the receiver.
Verb
Smoke spiraled up from the chimney.
The airplane spiraled to the ground and crashed.
The unemployment rate has been spiraling upward.
The stock market is spiraling downward.
Let's deal with this crisis before it spirals out of control.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
Our not-too-sweet shortbread spiral cookie is made from two doughs, one flavored with chocolate and one flavored with the nutty, buttery benne seeds.
—Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024
Christen Smith | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
During the summer, Earth is positioned around the sun at an angle that faces the center of the Milky Way, where bright space matter clusters in towards the spiral.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2024
John Hopewell, Variety, 9 July 2024
As seen by the epic first film’s conclusion, when Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds) puts her hearing aid against a microphone, emitting a high frequency sound against the raging Death Angel in her home, the creature spirals out.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral 
Adjective
The machine peels and slices even-sized apple pieces in a spiral ring in just five seconds, according to the brand.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
Our not-too-sweet shortbread spiral cookie is made from two doughs, one flavored with chocolate and one flavored with the nutty, buttery benne seeds.
—Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024
Noun
Legislators say the demographic spiral is at the heart of Pennsylvania’s most pressing economic decisions, and addressing medical system inequities starts with affordable colleges and lucrative careers after graduation.
—Christen Smith | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
During the summer, Earth is positioned around the sun at an angle that faces the center of the Milky Way, where bright space matter clusters in towards the spiral.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2024
Verb
The consequences spiral out of control, taking in rape, collusion of corrupt security services, incarceration and the death of several protagonists.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 9 July 2024
As seen by the epic first film’s conclusion, when Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds) puts her hearing aid against a microphone, emitting a high frequency sound against the raging Death Angel in her home, the creature spirals out.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spiral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spiral
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spiral
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a curve in a plane that winds around a point while getting closer to or farther away from it
b
: a curve (as a helix) in space that winds around an axis
2
: a single turn or coil in a spiral object
3
: something having a spiral form
spiral
3 of 3 verb
spiraled or spiralled; spiraling or spiralling
: to move in a spiral path
Medical Definition
spiral
2 of 2 noun1
: the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it
2
: a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
the double spiral of DNA
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