reef

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈrēf 

1

: a part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating size

2

: reduction in sail area by reefing

reef

2 of 3

verb

reefed; reefing; reefs

transitive verb

1

: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion

2

: to lower or bring inboard (a spar) wholly or partially

intransitive verb

: to reduce a sail by taking in a reef

reefable

ˈrē-fə-bəl 

adjective

reef

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the surface of water compare atoll, barrier reef

b

: a hazardous obstruction

2

: lode, vein

reefy

ˈrē-fē 

adjective

Examples of reef in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

However, the study also revealed that resorts with poor management practices and more sedimentation and runoff can harm the reefs. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

The South China Sea is an artery that sees the passage of a third of global trade and its reefs and uninhabited archipelagoes have taken on deeper strategic significance in the shadow of China’s geopolitical rise. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024

Nearby, Playa Negra beckons with its volcanic black sand and powerful reef breaks, providing an exhilarating challenge for experienced surfers. —Claire Volkman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

Now the reef just needs to keep up the good work for another 27 years. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024

Barramundi and mangrove jack are both commercially important and have a lifecycle that involves the fish migrating to and from the reef, across tidal floodplains to freshwater rivers. —Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024

This was also the first time experts were able to do mapping and bathymetry of the Kasos-Karpathos reef and the Karpatholimnion area, the Greek Ministry said. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024

Bleaching does not necessarily kill corals, but the process causes reefs to become more susceptible to disease. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024

About 25 feet below the surface at the Key Largo Dry Rocks reef is a nine-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Jesus with his arms outstretched, as if blessing the sea and all its creatures. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English riff, from Old Norse rif; probably akin to Old Norse rīfa to rend — more at rive

Noun (2)

Dutch rif, from Middle Dutch, from Old Norse, literally rib; akin to Old English ribb rib — more at rib

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1670, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing reef

• barrier reef
• coral reef
• reef knot
• whitetip reef shark

Kids Definition

reef

1 of 3 noun

ˈrēf 

1

: a part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating size

2

: the reduction in sail area made by reefing

reef

2 of 3 verb

: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion

reef

3 of 3 noun

: a chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the surface of water

Etymology

Noun

Middle English riff "reef of a sail"; of Norse origin

Noun

from Dutch rif "reef of rocks or sand"; of Scandinavian origin