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loop

n. · v.
US //ˈɫup// UK //lˈuːp// loop
  1. 1 a curved shape (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a shape made by a curve that crosses itself, leaving an opening in the middle.

    a shape produced by a curve that bends around and crosses itself, creating an enclosed or semi-enclosed opening.

    Example

    He tied the rope into a small loop to hang the swing from the tree.

    Example

    The designer used a series of decorative loops in the ironwork to give the gate a more elegant appearance.
  2. 2 computing/programming (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a set of instructions that a computer repeats many times.

    a programmed sequence of instructions that is executed repeatedly until a specific condition is met.

    Example

    The program got stuck in an infinite loop and I had to restart my computer.

    Example

    The developer optimized the inner loop of the algorithm to reduce the processing time required for large datasets.
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  1. 3 repeating music or video (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    a piece of music or video that plays over and over again.

    a segment of audio or video media designed to be played continuously in a seamless repetition.

    Example

    The drum beat played on a loop throughout the entire song.

    Example

    The artist created a haunting atmosphere by layering several vocal loops of varying lengths over a steady bassline.
  2. 4 a circular route (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a road or path that goes in a circle and ends where it started.

    a transport route, such as a road or railway, that returns to its starting point without requiring a reversal.

    Example

    We took the hiking loop that goes around the lake and back to the car park.

    Example

    The city's new light rail system includes a downtown loop to facilitate easier transfers between the major commuter lines.
  3. 5 informed/involved (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to be part of a group that shares information.

    the state of being informed about or involved in a particular process or decision-making circle.

    Example

    Please keep me in the loop regarding any changes to the project schedule.

    Example

    The junior analysts felt they were being kept out of the loop during the final stages of the merger negotiations.

    Usage

    Almost always used in the phrases 'in the loop' or 'out of the loop'.
  4. 6 to form a circle (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something into a loop shape or to move in a circle.

    to form into a loop or to move in a path that follows a loop.

    Example

    She looped the scarf twice around her neck to stay warm.

    Example

    The pilot looped the aircraft during the airshow, drawing a perfect vertical circle against the clear blue sky.
  5. 7 to repeat media (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    to make a video or song play again and again.

    to play a digital file or tape segment in a continuous, repeating cycle.

    Example

    I looped my favorite part of the video so I could study the dance moves.

    Example

    The gallery installation looped a three-minute film of the ocean, creating a meditative environment for the viewers.
Origin

From Middle English loupe (“noose, loop”), earlier lowp-knot (“loop-knot”), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse hlaup (“a run”), used in the sense of a "running knot", from hlaupa (“to leap”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hlaupaną (“to leap, run”). Compare Swedish löp-knut (“loop-knot”), Danish løb-knude (“a running knot”), Danish løb (“a course”). More at leap. The verb is derived from the noun.

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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