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
reeled; reeling; reels
: to turn a reel
reeled; reeling; reels
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
: to cause to reel
1
: a lively Scottish-Highland dance
also
: the music for this dance
2
Synonyms
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
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
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
See all Example Sentences for reel 
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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
See all Example Sentences for reel
Dictionary Entries Near reel
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reel. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reel
1 of 5 noun1
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 verb1
: 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
reeler
noun
reel
3 of 5 verb1
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
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