Loop: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in programming to execute a block of code multiple times.

• The for loop iterates through the array.
• I created a loop to perform the calculations.

Typically used to refer to a single pass through a sequence of operations, often in the context of repetitive tasks or improvements.

• We're on the third iteration of the software.
• In each iteration, the design gets closer to the final product.

Employed when referring to a series of events that repeat regularly.

• The water cycle is essential for the environment.
• The company goes through a financial cycle every quarter.

Commonly used when referring to something being repeated in a general sense, can be negative if overdone.

• Her speech was full of unnecessary repetition.
• Repetition is a key element in effective learning.

Commonly used in everyday contexts to describe a circular or curved shape in general, such as a part of a roller coaster or a shape made with a string.

• The roller coaster had so many loops that I lost count.
• She tied the ribbon in a neat loop.

Used to indicate that an action, phrase, or event is done again multiple times. It can be used in daily life, instructions, or in musical contexts.

• Please repeat what you just said.
• The teacher had to repeat the instructions several times.
• The band's chorus was so catchy they decided to repeat it in the song.

Commonly used in music to describe a short, repeated sequence of notes or chords that forms a key part of the composition. It has a slightly informal and musical connotation.

• The guitarist played a cool riff that everyone loved.
• She improvised a riff during her solo performance.

Often used to describe an ordered set of events, numbers, or steps. It is more formal and systematic, suitable for academic, technical, or procedural contexts.

• The sequence of numbers is generated by the algorithm.
• Follow the sequence of steps to complete the recipe.

Used in programming to refer to a sequence of instructions that repeats until a specific condition is met. Also used more generally to describe a continuous, repeating circuit or path.

• The while loop will continue until the condition is false.
• The video played in a loop all night.

Suggests doing something again. It can refer to actions, phrases, or sequences and is used in everyday conversations and instructions.

• Can you repeat the last thing you said?
• They had to repeat the experiment to verify the results.

Used in the context of watching or reviewing something again, often media like videos or game footage.

• Let's replay the last few moments of the game to see what happened.
• You can replay this song as many times as you like.

Describes a series of events or processes that repeat in the same order. Commonly used in scientific, industrial, and natural contexts.

• The water cycle is essential for Earth's ecosystem.
• The washing machine is in its final rinse cycle.