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
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
Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2025
The people who score goals, throw down thunderous dunks or do whatever highlight-reel play exists in your preferred game.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
French authorities raced against the clock Tuesday, intensifying their hunt for the priceless royal jewels stolen from the Louvre, and the thieves whose brazen daylight robbery left the nation reeling.
—Jamie Gray, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
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Noun
Winners will be notified via Instagram and their reels will be showcased on AmPav’s platforms.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2025
The people who score goals, throw down thunderous dunks or do whatever highlight-reel play exists in your preferred game.
—Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The financial industry continues to reel over the bankruptcies.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
French authorities raced against the clock Tuesday, intensifying their hunt for the priceless royal jewels stolen from the Louvre, and the thieves whose brazen daylight robbery left the nation reeling.
—Jamie Gray, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reel. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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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