reel

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈrēl 

1

: a revolvable device on which something flexible is wound: such as

a

: a small windlass at the butt of a fishing rod for the line

b

chiefly British : a spool or bobbin for sewing thread

c

: a flanged spool for photographic film

especially : one for movies

2

: a quantity of something wound on a reel

reel

2 of 5

verb (1)

reeled; reeling; reels

transitive verb

1

: to wind on or as if on a reel

2

: to draw by reeling a line

reel a fish in

intransitive verb

: to turn a reel

reelable

ˈrē-lə-bəl 

adjective

reel

3 of 5

verb (2)

reeled; reeling; reels

intransitive verb

1

a

: to turn or move round and round

b

: to be in a whirl

2

: to behave in a violent disorderly manner

3

: to waver or fall back (as from a blow)

4

: to walk or move unsteadily

transitive verb

: to cause to reel

reel

4 of 5

noun (2)

: a reeling motion

reel

5 of 5

noun (3)

1

: a lively Scottish-Highland dance

also : the music for this dance

2

: virginia reel

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• spin
• swim
• turn
• whirl

Noun (2)

• gyration
• pirouette
• revolution
• roll
• rotation
• spin
• twirl
• wheel
• whirl

Examples of reel in a Sentence

Verb (2)

his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud

got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

Noun (2)

she slipped and, after an out-of-control reel, fell on her backside

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Prior to tipoff, the lights in the gym were dimmed and the jumbotron showed a highlight reel of VanDerveer’s time at Stanford, a montage that included her three national championships, as well as the 500th and 1000th victories. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

The Barbie star’s chic new chop is courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena—also known as the man behind Madelyn Cline’s iconic beach bob—who shared a behind-the-scenes reel of Greenblatt’s transformation to Instagram. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Therefore, coming into this most recent negotiation, one side was adamant about their need for wage restitution and the other side was reeling from existential challenges that began in 2018 with the twin crashes of the 737MAX that killed all on board. —Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Still, the storm is threatening to bring flooding rain, mudslides, damaging winds and dangerous surf and rip current conditions to Cuba, which is still reeling from the collapse of its electrical grid and Hurricane Oscar. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English hrēol; akin to Old Norse hræll weaver's reed, Greek krekein to weave

Verb (2)

Middle English relen, probably from reel, noun

Noun (3)

probably from reel entry 4

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1572, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reel

• reel in
• reel off
• reel-to-reel
• sizzle reel
• spinning reel
• Virginia reel

Kids Definition

reel

1 of 5 noun

ˈrē(ə)l 

1

a

: a device that can be turned round and round and on which something flexible is wound

b

: a device which is set on the handle of a fishing pole and used for winding up or letting out the line

c

: a narrow spool with a rim used to guide photographic film or magnetic tape

2

: a quantity of something wound on a reel

3

: a frame for drying clothes

reel

2 of 5 verb

1

: to wind on or as if on a reel

2

: to pull (as a fish) by reeling a line

3

: to wind or turn a reel

reelable

ˈrē-lə-bəl 

adjective

reeler noun

reel

3 of 5 verb

1

a

: to whirl around

reeling in a dance

b

: to be in a whirl

heads reeling with excitement

2

: to fall back (as from a blow)

3

: to walk or move unsteadily

reel

4 of 5 noun

: a reeling motion

reel

5 of 5 noun

: a lively dance originally of the Scottish Highlands

also : the music for this dance