loop /lup/ noun
[count]
1 a . a curved part or shape made when something long and thin (such as a rope or thread) bends so that it touches or crosses over itself
- a closed loop of rope
- a wire with a loop at the end
- a loop of string/thread
1 b . something that is shaped like a loop
- They rowed along a loop in the river.
- The road formed a loop around the pond.
- letters formed with lots of loops
1 c . a ring or curved piece used for holding something
- a belt loop
2 . an action in which an airplane flies in an upright circle perpendicular to the ground
- The pilot did/performed a loop.
3 . a piece of film or tape with the ends joined together so that the same pictures or sounds are repeated continuously; also : a recording that is repeated continuously
- The computer-generated images are shown on a continuous loop.
4. computers : a series of instructions that are repeated in a computer program until a specified condition is met
5 .the loop : a group of people who know about or have influence or control over something — usually used in the phrases in the loop and out of the loop
- She wants to stay in the loop as these changes are being considered.
- He claims that he was kept out of the loop when the decision to sell the company was being made.