reef
1a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water.
Mining. a lode or vein.
Origin of reef
1Words Nearby reef
Other definitions for reef (2 of 2)
a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind.
to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs.
to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like.
to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often followed by out).
Origin of reef
2Other words from reef
- un·reefed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use reef in a sentence
Divers exploring an underwater portion of the lake’s K’akaya reef found a ritual offering deposited by the Inca, say archaeologists Christophe Delaere of the University of Oxford and José Capriles of Penn State.
A submerged Inca offering hints at Lake Titicaca’s sacred role | Bruce Bower | August 3, 2020 | Science NewsThey’re also planting tiny bits of coral in new places, trying to help new reefs get a good start.
Scientists are working to figure out how to help bleached corals and plant new coral reefs.
Coral reefs provide spots of brilliant color under the waves.
A bleached reef can spell trouble for the many species that call it home.
I was out, maybe in the Great Barrier reef catching black marlin.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd this in turn affects the fish, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and seabirds that live within the reef.
Australia Wants to Open the Great Barrier Reef to Dumping | Kirsten Alexander | June 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985, with two-thirds of the loss occurring after 1998.
Australia Wants to Open the Great Barrier Reef to Dumping | Kirsten Alexander | June 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 7,000-ton freighter is still stocked with sake bottles and four fighter planes, and it is encircled by gray reef.
It also takes place near a minefield of rocks, is a hangout spot for sharks, and breaks on a reef.
Now That Everest Is Closed, Check Out These Other Extreme Adventures | Nina Strochlic | May 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe few birds that frequented the reef were very shy, and flew away at our approach: they were principally pelicans and terns.
reef k, in latitude 14 degrees 47 minutes, has a dry sand upon it: its sub-marine extent was not ascertained.
All the islands are low and wooded, and surrounded by a coral reef of small extent.
The Mermaid was nearly lost in attempting to cross the latter reef.
A considerable reef projects off the east end for more than a mile.
British Dictionary definitions for reef (1 of 3)
/ (riːf) /
a ridge of rock, sand, coral, etc, the top of which lies close to the surface of the sea
a ridge- or mound-like structure built by sedentary calcareous organisms (esp corals) and consisting mainly of their remains
a vein of ore, esp one of gold-bearing quartz
Origin of reef
1British Dictionary definitions for reef (2 of 3)
/ (riːf) nautical /
the part gathered in when sail area is reduced, as in a high wind
to reduce the area of (sail) by taking in a reef
(tr) to shorten or bring inboard (a spar)
Origin of reef
2British Dictionary definitions for Reef (3 of 3)
/ (riːf) /
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for reef
[ rēf ]
A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. See more at coral reef.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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