creel

[ kreel ]

noun

1. a wickerwork basket worn on the back or suspended from the shoulder, used especially by anglers for carrying fish.
2. a basket made of wicker or other material, for holding fish, lobsters, etc.
3. a trap for fish, lobsters, etc., especially one made of wicker.
4. a framework, especially one for holding bobbins in a spinning machine.

creel

/ kriːl /

noun

1. a wickerwork basket, esp one used to hold fish
2. a wickerwork trap for catching lobsters, etc
3. the framework on a spinning machine that holds the bobbins
4. dialect.
   a wooden frame suspended from a ceiling, used for drying clothes

Word History and Origins

Origin of creel¹

1275–1325; Middle English crele, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of creel¹

C15: from Scottish, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Many creel fishermen and scallop divers support restrictions on larger scale commercial fishing in MPAs.

From BBC

He was helping to deploy creels when he became entangled in a coil of rope and was dragged overboard and into the sea.

From BBC

The Ullapool creel tree must be one of the most unique and distinctive of Scotland's best-loved trees.

From BBC

Apparently the creel limit for Trout is seven.

From Seattle Times

It’s mesmerizing to watch Leonardo’s warper machine in motion, spinning and perfectly aligning warp threads from a row of twirling spools onto the creel, which gathers the precious threads.

From New York Times

Related Words

• box
• crate