noun

reeve

reev

Reeve (noun) means a local official in medieval England with authority over an area, or (in Canada) the elected head of certain municipal councils. Example: “The village reeve settled disputes between farmers.”

noun

A local official in medieval England with authority over an area, or (in Canada) the elected head of certain municipal councils.

"The village reeve settled disputes between farmers."

"In parts of rural Canada, the head of a township council is still called a reeve."

verb

To thread a rope through a hole, ring, or pulley so it can be used to pull or hoist something.

"The sailor reeved the rope through the block before hoisting the sail."

How to use reeve

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old word for a local official, or (as a verb) to pass a rope through something.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the official sense with the unrelated verb sense about ropes — they just happen to share a spelling.

Word forms

reeved past tense, rove past tense, reeves plural, reeves plural, reeves singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “reeve” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The village _____ settled disputes between farmers.

Etymology

From Old English gerefa ("official, officer"), a word that mostly died out in England once "bailiff" took over, though it survives in Canadian local government.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for reeve

eve neve nieve sieve Steve Maeve cleve sleeve grieve achieve believe relieve

See all rhymes for reeve →

Frequently asked questions

What does “reeve” mean?

The word “reeve” means a local official in medieval England with authority over an area, or (in Canada) the elected head of certain municipal councils. In plain terms, an old word for a local official, or (as a verb) to pass a rope through something.

How do you pronounce “reeve”?

“Reeve” is pronounced reev (/ɹiːv/ in IPA).

How do you use “reeve” in a sentence?

Here is “reeve” used in a sentence: “The village reeve settled disputes between farmers.”

What part of speech is “reeve”?

Depending on how it is used, “reeve” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “reeve” come from?

The word “reeve” comes from Old English. From Old English gerefa ("official, officer"), a word that mostly died out in England once "bailiff" took over, though it survives in Canadian local government.

How many meanings does “reeve” have?

“Reeve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a local official in medieval England with authority over an area, or (in Canada) the elected head of certain municipal councils.