reef

¹ American  

[reef] / rif /

noun

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

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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 American  

[reef] / rif /

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.

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reef ¹ British  

/ riːf /

noun

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

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verb

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

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

Reef ² British  

/ riːf /

noun

1. another name for the Great Barrier Reef

2. another name for the Witwatersrand

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reef ³ British  

/ 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

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reef Scientific  

/ rēf /

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

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Other Word Forms

• unreefed adjective

Etymology

Origin of reef¹

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

Origin of reef¹

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

Example Sentences

Over time, these tiny organisms reshaped the planet in enormous ways, including helping fill the atmosphere with oxygen and creating structures as durable as coral reefs.

From Science Daily

The study shows that many reef fish populations have been heavily overfished and are producing far below what they could support over the long term.

From Science Daily

Once there, the carbon combines with calcium released from the rocks to form shells and limestone reefs.

From Science Daily

One of these, D. africanum, historically flourished on rocky reefs along the coast of western Africa and around the Azores, generally at depths between five meters and 20 meters.

From Science Daily

But that also covers snorkeling expeditions, kayaking excursions along the reef and guided stargazing quests.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• atoll
• beach
• coral reef
• shoal