reef

¹

[ 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

²

[ 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 by out ).

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

/ 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

Other Words From

• un·reefed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reef¹

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

Origin of reef²

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

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

From elephants in tropical forests to hawksbill turtles off the Great Barrier Reef, populations are plummeting, according to a stocktake of the world's wildlife.

From BBC

Especially Australian ones, floating above sea beds, such as the Great Barrier Reef, awaiting the next wave.

From BBC

They point to the three bases it has already built on Mischief, Fiery Cross and Subi Reefs in the South China Sea, and the formidable naval forces it maintains on its south coast.

From BBC

The dazzling centerpiece is the “Crochet Coral Reef,” an ever-expanding sculpture inspired by the decimation of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

From Los Angeles Times

Located in northern Queensland, the city of Cairns is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.

From BBC

Related Words

• atoll
• beach
• coral reef
• shoal