1 (especially BrE) (AmE usually spool) a round object around which you wind such things as cotton thread, wire or film; the film, wire, thread, etc. that is wound around a reel:
a cotton reel * a reel on a fishing rod * reels of magnetic tape * a new reel of film * The hero was killed in the final reel (= in the final part of the film / movie).
2 a fast Scottish, Irish or American dance, usually for two or four couples; a piece of music for this dance
verb [V]
1 [usually +adv./prep.] to move in a very unsteady way, for example because you are drunk or have been hit:
I punched him on the chin, sending him reeling backwards. * She was reeling after several glasses of wine. * He reeled under the blow.
2 ~ (at / from / with sth) to feel very shocked or upset about sth:
I was still reeling from the shock.
3 to seem to be spinning around and around:
When he opened his eyes, the room was reeling.
PHRASALVERBS
reel sth<->in / out to wind sth on/off a reel:
I slowly reeled the fish in.
reel sth<->off to say or repeat sth quickly without having to stop or think about it:
She immediately reeled off several names.
