reef

¹

[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

²

[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

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

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

Origin of reef²

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

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

They expect that these insights will support efforts to protect coral reefs and help coastal communities manage the growing ecological and economic impacts of Sargassum blooms.

Read more on Science Daily

The Queen Jenuvia 2 is stuck on a reef and unable to move, but there is currently no risk of sinking or capsizing, according to the Coast Guard.

Read more on BBC

Stuck on the reef near shore was the wreckage of a small Japanese boat.

Read more on Literature

Fish who’d spent their whole lives in those reefs abandoned their homes and swam out to open water.

Read more on Literature

Tropical coral reefs, the nursery for a significant share of marine life and crucial to the livelihoods of some 200 million people, are likely already reaching a tipping point, according to recent research.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• atoll 
• beach 
• coral reef 
• shoal