take a reef in

verb

To reduce the surface area of a sail by folding or rolling part of it, typically to handle stronger winds and maintain stability.

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Meanings

verbtake a reef in (third-person singular simple present takes a reef in, present participle taking a reef in, simple past took a reef in, past participle taken a reef in)

present singular third person takes a reef in · participle present taking a reef in · past took a reef in · participle past taken a reef in

  1. nauticalTo reduce the surface area of a sail by folding or rolling part of it, typically to handle stronger winds and maintain stability.
Cite this entry
APA

take a reef in. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20reef%20in

MLA

“take a reef in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20reef%20in. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take a reef in,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20reef%20in.

Source: take a reef in on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.