What do you call turns of electric wire around an object, such as an iron core?

The term for turns of electric wire around an object, such as an iron core, is referred to as a coil. In electrical engineering and physics, a coil specifically denotes a series of wire loops that can generate magnetic fields when an electric current passes through them. This characteristic makes coils essential components in many electromagnetic devices, such as inductors, transformers, and motors.

While "winding" can also refer to the process of wrapping wire around an object, it is a more general term and does not specifically denote the functional aspect that a coil has in creating a magnetic field. "Wrap" and "loop" are terms that describe parts of the process rather than the actual configuration of the wire in relation to generating electromagnetic properties. Understanding the terminology is crucial, especially in contexts where precision and clarity are necessary, such as in circuit design and analysis.