reef

[ reef ]

/ rif /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: reef / reefed / reefing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Mining. a lode or vein.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between "it’s" and "its" in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 8

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of reef

1575–85; earlier riff(e) <Dutch rif

Words nearby reef

Reed-Sternberg cell, reed stop, reeducate, reed warbler, reedy, reef, reefer, reeffish, reefing, reefing jacket, reef knot

Other definitions for reef (2 of 2)

reef²

[ reef ]

/ rif /

Nautical

noun

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

verb (used with object)

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM reef

un·reefed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use reef in a sentence

Divers exploring an underwater portion of the lake’s K’akaya reef found a ritual offering deposited by the Inca, say archaeologists Christophe Delaere of the University of Oxford and José Capriles of Penn State.
A submerged Inca offering hints at Lake Titicaca’s sacred role|Bruce Bower|August 3, 2020|Science News
A bleached reef can spell trouble for the many species that call it home.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students
They’re also planting tiny bits of coral in new places, trying to help new reefs get a good start.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students
Coral reefs provide spots of brilliant color under the waves.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students

Scientists are working to figure out how to help bleached corals and plant new coral reefs.
Let’s learn about coral reefs|Bethany Brookshire|July 22, 2020|Science News For Students
I was out, maybe in the Great Barrier Reef catching black marlin.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And this in turn affects the fish, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and seabirds that live within the Reef.
Australia Wants to Open the Great Barrier Reef to Dumping|Kirsten Alexander|June 2, 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 7,000-ton freighter is still stocked with sake bottles and four fighter planes, and it is encircled by gray reef.
A WWII Battle Frozen in Time|Nina Strochlic|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also takes place near a minefield of rocks, is a hangout spot for sharks, and breaks on a reef.
Now That Everest Is Closed, Check Out These Other Extreme Adventures|Nina Strochlic|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The few birds that frequented the reef were very shy, and flew away at our approach: they were principally pelicans and terns.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
REEF k, in latitude 14 degrees 47 minutes, has a dry sand upon it: its sub-marine extent was not ascertained.
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
The Mermaid was nearly lost in attempting to cross the latter reef.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
A considerable reef projects off the east end for more than a mile.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King

British Dictionary definitions for reef (1 of 3)

reef¹

/ (riːf) /

noun

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

Word Origin for reef

C16: from Middle Dutch ref, from Old Norse rif rib 1, reef ²

British Dictionary definitions for reef (2 of 3)

reef²

/ (riːf) nautical /

noun

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

verb

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

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

Word Origin for reef

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

British Dictionary definitions for reef (3 of 3)

Reef

/ (riːf) /

noun the Reef

another name for the Great Barrier Reef

another name for the Witwatersrand

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

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.

reef

Origin of reef

Words nearby reef

Other definitions for reef (2 of 2)

Origin of reef

OTHER WORDS FROM reef

Words related to reef

How to use reef in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reef (1 of 3)

Word Origin for reef

British Dictionary definitions for reef (2 of 3)

Word Origin for reef

British Dictionary definitions for reef (3 of 3)

Scientific definitions for reef