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
1Other 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
The Wellington came bowling along under close-reefed topsails.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneSoon there struggled in the narrow mouth the shadow of a close-reefed trawler of sixty tons or so.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.They were both reefed down to the balance-reef, as shown in the illustration taken from an old print.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.By night the gale had sufficiently abated to enable me to set a reefed foresail, and once more to haul up on my course.
Hurricane Hurry | W.H.G. KingstonShe don't need much of anything on her except a double-reefed mitten with the thumb brailed up.
Blow The Man Down | Holman Day
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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