1. a bobbin, spool, or reel on which thread, yarn, or wire is wound
Usage: common in textile and manufacturing contexts
2. a fishing reel or the spool of a fishing reel
Usage: chiefly Scottish and Northern English

Examples

• The weaver wound the thread onto a pirn before beginning the loom work.
• She carefully replaced the empty pirn with a full one on the spinning machine.
• The pirn held several yards of fine cotton thread.
• In Scottish fishing tradition, the pirn was an essential part of the reel.
• The factory worker loaded pirns of yarn onto the production line.
• He adjusted the pirn to ensure the thread wound evenly.