reef

¹ American  

[reef] / rif /

noun

1. a ridge of rocks or sand, often of coral debris, at or near the surface of the water.

2. Mining. a lode or vein.

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reef ² American  

[reef] / rif /

noun

1. a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs.

2. to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like.

3. to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often followed byout ).

reef ¹ British  

/ riːf /

noun

1. a ridge of rock, sand, coral, etc, the top of which lies close to the surface of the sea

2. a ridge- or mound-like structure built by sedentary calcareous organisms (esp corals) and consisting mainly of their remains

3. a vein of ore, esp one of gold-bearing quartz

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Reef ² British  

/ riːf /

noun

1. another name for the Great Barrier Reef

2. another name for the Witwatersrand

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reef ³ British  

/ riːf /

noun

1. the part gathered in when sail area is reduced, as in a high wind

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verb

1. to reduce the area of (sail) by taking in a reef

2. (tr) to shorten or bring inboard (a spar)

reef Scientific  

/ rēf /

1. A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water.

2. See more at coral reef

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Other Word Forms

• unreefed adjective

Etymology

Origin of reef¹

1575–85; earlier riff ( e ) < Dutch rif

Origin of reef²

1350–1400; Middle English refe (noun) < Dutch reef

Example Sentences

It sailed out through the reef to the deeper dark ocean, and Jack turned to wave and Nim waved back, though she knew he couldn’t see.

From Literature

He said Fishguard residents had told him the ship could be left for scrap, while others believe it might become a reef.

From BBC

Coral reefs provide enormous value to people around the world.

From Science Daily

A study published on Tuesday showed that more than half of the world's coral reefs were bleached between 2014-2017 -- a record-setting episode now being eclipsed by another series of devastating heatwaves.

From Barron's

Fish associated with reefs and those that live near the seafloor were more likely to contain microplastics than fish found in lagoons, coastal waters, or the open ocean.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• atoll
• beach
• coral reef
• shoal