1
a
: the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps
especially
: a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium)
b
: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton
2
: a piece of coral and especially of red coral
3
a
: a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)
b
: a deep pink
coral
adjective
Examples of coral in a Sentence
brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral
Recent Examples on the Web
On the boat, the Shedd scientists make a coral cocktail combining equal amounts of different generic variations of coral into one tank.
—
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Among them was Simon Walsh, owner of Nature Island Dive, who opened his shop more than three decades ago and is now pioneering new ways of rehabilitating coral infected by waterborne diseases.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025
When scientists revisited the site more than 40 years later, the scars were still sharply visible, and the disturbed areas remained largely devoid of the sponges, corals, and starfish that had once lived there.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffered the biggest decline of coral on record last year.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coral
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Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Among them was Simon Walsh, owner of Nature Island Dive, who opened his shop more than three decades ago and is now pioneering new ways of rehabilitating coral infected by waterborne diseases.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025
When scientists revisited the site more than 40 years later, the scars were still sharply visible, and the disturbed areas remained largely devoid of the sponges, corals, and starfish that had once lived there.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffered the biggest decline of coral on record last year.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coral
Cite this Entry
“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coral
noun
cor·al
ˈkȯr-əl 
ˈkär-
1
a
: the stony or horny deposit that is composed of the skeletons of various polyps
especially
: a richly red coral used in jewelry
b
: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton
2
: a deep pink
coral
adjective
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