looping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “looping” mean?
The action or process of repeating a sequence of instructions, actions, or a section of material in a continuous cycle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of repeating a sequence of instructions, actions, or a section of material in a continuous cycle.
The action of forming something into a loop or circle; also, a technique in computing, audio/video production, or other fields involving repeated cycles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meaning. In computing/programming contexts, both varieties use it identically. Spelling differences follow standard patterns (e.g., looping vs. looping).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In informal British use, 'looping' might be more readily associated with aerobatics or making physical loops.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in business contexts (e.g., 'looping in' colleagues).
Grammar
How to Use “looping” in a Sentence
[Subject] is looping [Object] (e.g., The video is looping the clip).[Subject] keeps looping [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., The song keeps looping on repeat).Loop [Object] in (on) [Information] (e.g., We should loop him in on the project).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “looping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The technician is looping the cable through the conduit.
- I'll loop you into the email thread for visibility.
American English
- She kept looping that section of the song during practice.
- Make sure to loop in the legal team before finalizing.
adverb
British English
- The video played looping in the background.
- The aircraft flew looping over the airfield.
American English
- The GIF ran looping on the website.
- The music continued looping throughout the night.
adjective
British English
- We watched a looping animation on the display.
- He set up a looping playlist for the party.
American English
- The looping video background was distracting.
- Check the looping function on the audio software.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In business, 'looping (someone) in' means to include someone in an email chain or meeting to keep them informed.
Academic
In academic contexts, it refers to methodological repetition, e.g., in psychology experiments or iterative research processes.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe a video or song playing repeatedly.
Technical
A fundamental concept in computer programming (for/while loops) and audio/video production (looping samples or clips).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “looping”
- Using 'looping' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I made three loopings' – better: 'three loops' or 'three iterations').
- Confusing 'looping' (action) with 'a loop' (the formed shape or one cycle).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can be used in formal technical, business, and academic contexts (e.g., 'iterative looping process').
'Looping' often implies a structured, often technical, cycle that returns to a start point, while 'repeating' is more general for any recurrence.
Yes, primarily as a gerund (verbal noun), e.g., 'The looping of the tape was annoying.' It is less commonly a countable noun.
It's a business idiom meaning to add someone to a communication (e.g., email, meeting) to inform or consult them.
The action or process of repeating a sequence of instructions, actions, or a section of material in a continuous cycle.
Looping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈluːpɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈluːpɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Looping someone in”
- “Stuck in a loop”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'loop' in a roller coaster track that brings the train back to the same point—'looping' is the action of going around that track again and again.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/CYCLES ARE CIRCLES (e.g., 'We're just looping through the same arguments').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'looping' NOT typically imply repetition?