coral

[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]

/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /

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noun

the hard, variously colored, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps.

such skeletons collectively, forming reefs, islands, etc.

the solitary or colonial polyp that secretes this calcareous skeleton.

a reddish yellow; light yellowish red; pinkish yellow.

the unimpregnated roe or eggs of the lobster that when boiled take on the color of red coral.

something made of coral, as an ornament, piece of jewelry, or a child's toy.

adjective

made of coral: a coral reef; coral ornamentation.

making coral: a coral polyp.

resembling coral, especially in color; yellowish-red.

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Origin of coral

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English coral(l), from Latin corāll(i)um, from Greek korā́llion “red coral,” equivalent to korall- (from Semitic; compare Hebrew gōrāl “pebble”) + -ion diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM coral

cor·al·like, adjective

Words nearby coral

Cora, coraciiform, coracle, coracoid, coraji, coral, coral bells, coralberry, coral fern, coral fungus, Coral Gables

Other definitions for coral (2 of 2)

Coral

[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]

/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /

noun

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coral in a sentence

The mutation rate of mitochondria varies hugely from algae to tulips to coral.
Sex Is Driven by the Impetus to Change - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Jill Neimark|August 12, 2020|Nautilus
More than half of the world’s coral reefs are in danger of disappearing.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students
If the coral can’t attract another algae roommate in time, the coral itself will die.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students
That way corals won’t experience more stress than they can handle.
Going bright may help corals recover from bleaching|Carolyn Wilke|June 25, 2020|Science News For Students

The scientists examined bleaching events in ocean corals between 2010 and 2019.
Going bright may help corals recover from bleaching|Carolyn Wilke|June 25, 2020|Science News For Students
Cason is now retired from the Foreign Service and is the mayor of Coral Gables, Florida.
Meet America’s Next Ambassador to Cuba|Eleanor Clift|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Coral reefs are in decline, coastal dead zones are on the rise, and marine life is dying.
‘Mission Blue’ Warning: The Ocean Is Not Too Big to Fail|Sylvia A. Earle|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For as long as anyone could remember, Adam Winfield of Cape Coral, Florida, wanted to join the U.S. military.
‘Kill Team’: The Documentary the Army Doesn’t Want You to See|Andrew Romano|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Big British bookmaker Coral has suspended betting on Kate announcing she is pregnant again before the end of this month.
New Kate Pregnancy Rumors Circulate!|Tom Sykes|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 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|DAILY BEAST
The birds that build them swallow a certain kind of glutinous weed growing on the coral rocks.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Between these two ranges of islands we only obtained one cast of the lead which gave us thirty-three fathoms on a coral bottom.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
All the islands are low and wooded, and surrounded by a coral reef of small extent.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
I could observe groups and clusters of coloured coral and madrepore-stone, whose magnificence challenges all description.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Both the islets are surrounded by coral reefs, of small extent.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King

British Dictionary definitions for coral

coral

/ (ˈkɒrəl) /

noun

any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeletonSee also stony coral, sea fan

the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
(as modifier)a coral reef See also red coral

a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
(as modifier)a coral island

an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
(as modifier)a coral necklace

a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
(as adjective)coral lipstick

the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked

Word Origin for coral

C14: from Old French, from Latin corāllium, from Greek korallion, probably of Semitic origin

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 coral

coral

[ kôr′əl ]

Any of numerous small, sedentary cnidarians (coelenterates) of the class Anthozoa. Corals often form massive colonies in shallow sea water and secrete a cup-shaped skeleton of calcium carbonate, which they can retreat into when in danger. Corals are related to the sea anemones and have stinging tentacles around the mouth opening that are used to catch prey.

A hard, stony substance consisting of the skeletons of these animals. It is typically white, pink, or reddish and can form large reefs that support an abundance of ocean fish.

coral

Origin of coral

OTHER WORDS FROM coral

Words nearby coral

Other definitions for coral (2 of 2)

Words related to coral

How to use coral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coral

Word Origin for coral

Scientific definitions for coral