reef

¹

[reef]

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.

reef

²

[reef]

noun

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

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

/ 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

reef

²

/ riːf /

noun

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

verb

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

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

Reef

³

/ riːf /

noun

1. another name for the Great Barrier Reef

2. another name for the Witwatersrand

reef

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

Other Word Forms

• unreefed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reef¹

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

Origin of reef²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reef¹

C16: from Middle Dutch ref , from Old Norse rif _rib ¹ , _reef ²

Origin of reef²

C14: from Middle Dutch rif ; related to Old Norse rif reef, _rib ¹ , German reffen to reef; see _reef ¹

Example Sentences

The catastrophic flood from the Indian Ocean restored marine life in the Red, which persists in the coral reefs to the present.

Read more on Science Daily

Members of a local association representing artisanal fishermen in Saint-Louis say BP has not fulfilled its promise to create artificial reefs where they could catch more fish.

Read more on BBC

Sussex Wildlife Trust said dumped sediment was "impacting the sensitive chalk reef and harming its wildlife".

Read more on BBC

Coral reefs worldwide have been suffering from a two-year-long global coral bleaching event, due to record high ocean temperatures.

Read more on BBC

The Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of reefs and rocks, has been a flashpoint between the two countries since China seized it in 2012.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• atoll 
• beach 
• coral reef 
• shoal