Word
spool
US/ˈspuɫ/
UK/spˈuːl/
Definition
n. a small, round object that holds a long thread, wire, or tape. In computing, it is a temporary storage area for data that is waiting to be processed.
n. a cylindrical object on which thread, wire, or tape is wound. In a computing context, it refers to a temporary storage area used to hold data that is being moved between different parts of a system.
Examples
“The printer uses a small spool of ink.”
“The technician replaced the empty spool of cable with a new one to continue the installation.”
“The operating system manages the data flow by writing incoming requests to a spool before sending them to the printer, ensuring that the hardware does not become a bottleneck.”
Examples
simple
“The printer uses a small spool of ink.”
contextual
“The technician replaced the empty spool of cable with a new one to continue the installation.”
complex
“The operating system manages the data flow by writing incoming requests to a spool before sending them to the printer, ensuring that the hardware does not become a bottleneck.”
Etymology
From Middle English spole (possibly via Old Northern French spole, espole), from Middle Dutch spoele, from Old Dutch spōla, spuola, from Proto-Germanic spōlǭ (“spool”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)pel- (“to cleave, split”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Spoule (“spool”), Dutch spoel (“spool”), German Spule (“spool”), Swedish spole (“spool”), Icelandic spóla (“spool; reel”). The aviation usage is based on the visual similarity of one of the spools of a turbine engine to a spool used for thread (especially in cross-section). See also spill.
From blend of spa + pool.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/spool