fringing reef

American  

noun

1. a coral reef close to and along the land.

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fringing reef British  

noun

1. a coral reef close to the shore to which it is attached, having a steep seaward edge

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fringing reef Scientific  

/ frĭn′jĭng /

1. A coral reef formed close to the shoreline of an island or continent. Fringing reefs usually have a rough, tablelike surface that is exposed during low tide and a steep edge sloping toward the open water.

2. Compare atoll barrier reef

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Etymology

Origin of fringing reef

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

The world's largest fringing reef and another of Australia's Unesco World Heritage Sites, it is home to a lush oceanic forest that spreads out along the coast for hundreds of kilometres.

From BBC

Scientists, both in Egypt and internationally, have recommended the area where Gupco operates should be included in a new extended marine protection zone in the Red Sea, to cover the whole an area known as the Great Fringing Reef.

From BBC

Oil companies, Shell and Chevron, have carried out recent surveys for new oil and gas wells some 30 km away from protected parts of the Great Fringing Reef.

From BBC

“Molokai has the longest continuous fringing reef in the United States, and it’s one of our community’s greatest assets,” said Russell Kallstrom, information coordinator for the Nature Conservancy’s Molokai program.

From Seattle Times

Twelve villas, some beachfront, on a peaceful stretch of ocean, with a fringing reef about a half-mile offshore.

From Washington Post