/ luːp; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a shape like a curve or circle made by a line curving right round and crossing itself :
The road went in a huge loop around the lake.
2.
a piece of rope, wire, etc. in the shape of a curve or circle :
He tied a loop of rope around his arm.
Make a loop in the string.
a belt loop (= on trousers / pants, etc. for holding a belt in place)
3.
a strip of film or tape on which the pictures and sound are repeated continuously :
The film is on a loop.
( figurative )
His mind kept turning in an endless loop.
4.
( computing ) a set of instructions that is repeated again and again until a particular condition is satisfied
5.
a complete circuit for electrical current
6.
( BrE ) a railway line or road that leaves the main track or road and then joins it again
7.
the Loop ( US , informal ) the business centre of the US city of Chicago
•
IDIOMS
- in the loop | out of the loop
- knock / throw sb for a loop
■ verb [+ adv. / prep. ]
1.
[ vn ] to form or bend sth into a loop :
He looped the strap over his shoulder.
2.
[ v ] to move in a way that makes the shape of a loop :
The river loops around the valley.
The ball looped high up in the air.
•
IDIOMS
- loop the loop
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : of unknown origin; compare with Scottish Gaelic lùb loop, bend.