bobbin

American  

[bob-in] / ˈbɒb ɪn /

noun

1. a reel, cylinder, or spool upon which yarn or thread is wound, as used in spinning, machine sewing, lacemaking, etc.

2. Electricity.

   1. a spoollike form around which a coil of insulated wire is wound to provide an inductance.

   2. the coil itself.

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bobbin British  

/ ˈbɒbɪn /

noun

1. a spool or reel on which thread or yarn is wound, being unwound as required; spool; reel

2. narrow braid or cord used as binding or for trimming

3. a device consisting of a short bar and a length of string, used to control a wooden door latch

4. 1. a spool on which insulated wire is wound to form the coil of a small electromagnetic device, such as a bell or buzzer

   2. the coil of such a spool

5. slang (plural) matter that is worthless or of inferior quality; rubbish

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Etymology

Origin of bobbin

1520–30; < Middle French bobine hank of thread, perhaps bob- an expressive base akin to bob ² + -ine -ine ²

Example Sentences

And how long before this hyperbaric, ultrasonic sewing machine spins a bobbin?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

In the adjoining bathroom, you’ll find brass switchplates and a hand-drawn and -painted black-and-white encaustic tile inspired by European antique bobbin furniture legs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2025

You get to peek over the lacemaker’s shoulder: She is making bobbin lace, one of the most expensive commodities of early modern Europe.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2022

So with a bobbin of freshly spun Manchester cotton in hand, we headed 45 miles north to Blackburn.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2017

She pointed to the metal shaft mostly covered by the bobbin and flyer.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows