a cylinder, frame, or other device that turns on an axis and is used to wind up or pay out something.

a rotatory device attached to a fishing rod at the butt, for winding up or letting out the line.

Photography .

a spool on which film, esp. motion-picture film, is wound.

a roll of motion-picture film.

a holder for roll film in a developing tank.

a quantity of something wound on a reel.

Chiefly British . a spool of sewing thread; a roller or bobbin of sewing thread.

to wind on a reel, as thread, yarn, etc.

to unwind (silk filaments) from a cocoon.

to pull or draw by winding a line on a reel

to reel a fish in.

reel off, to say, write, or produce quickly and easily

The old sailor reeled off one story after another.

off the reel

without pause; continuously.

without delay or hesitation; immediately. Also, right off the reel.

verb

bob , careen , falter , feel giddy , go around , lurch , pitch , revolve , rock , roll , shake , stagger , stumble , sway , swim , swing , swirl , teeter , titubate , totter , turn , twirl , waver , weave , wheel , whirl , wobble , bobbin , dance , drum , rotate , spin , spindle , spool , windlass