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
Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
In the background of the image are distant spiral and oval-shaped galaxies.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 July 2024
Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
But Harris refused to linger in the national shame spiral that has formed around Trump.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
Byvivienne Walt, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Perhaps Lucius should blame the emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), monstrous twin tyrants who have sent the empire spiralling into decadence.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral 
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Adjective
Its spiral, canal, and chamber structures help process sound, hold fluids, and help regulate your sense of balance.
—Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
In the background of the image are distant spiral and oval-shaped galaxies.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 July 2024
Noun
North America's severe geomagnetic storm produces visible aurora Early in October, Americans from the northern U.S. and even as far south as Alabama had a chance to witness the striking rays, spirals and flickers of the northern lights.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024
But Harris refused to linger in the national shame spiral that has formed around Trump.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
Then came Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, spiraling inflation across the globe, and deepening trade disputes between the world’s two biggest economies, the U.S. and China.
—Byvivienne Walt, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Perhaps Lucius should blame the emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), monstrous twin tyrants who have sent the empire spiralling into decadence.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral
Dictionary Entries Near spiral
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiral. Accessed 29 Nov. 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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