coral

noun cor·al \ ˈkȯr-əl , ˈkär- \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of coral

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

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coral

adjective

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coralloid

play \ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlȯid, ˈkär-\ adjective

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Examples of coral in a Sentence

brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Recent Examples of coral from the Web

Worldwide, the total value of coral reefs is tremendous.

— eileen reslen, Popular Mechanics, "Hawaii Bans Sunscreens That Hurt Coral Reefs," 6 July 2018
Within each of the Color Icon Eyeshadow compacts are six highly pigmented, metallic colors inspired by its respective element — Fire, for example, features shades of coral and pink — all of which promise to glide on easily and stay for hours.

— marci robin, Allure, "Wet n Wild Is Launching a Super-Shimmery Zodiac Makeup Collection," 12 July 2018
Because the hidden impacts of invasive rats don’t end at nutrients in coral reefs.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Rats! Coral Reefs Aren't Getting the Bird Poop They Need," 11 July 2018
Scientists may have figured out how to save coral reefs.

— Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Trump Supreme pick Kavanaugh prepping for confirmation war; FBI lovebirds facing hot seat," 10 July 2018
Michigan's state stone is made up of fossilized coral and can be found across the upper Lower Peninsula.

— caroline blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Where to find 5 of Michigan's coolest rocks," 28 June 2018
Two-story motels washed in shades of coral and aqua were edged by thick green lawns facing the beach.

— joy wallace dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic carpets of steel brought family together," 13 May 2018
To its right, a jumble of tubular appendages resemble a maze of coral.

— peter reese, Popular Mechanics, "4 Reasons Why You Need To Hike the Sonoran Desert," 2 May 2018
Nearly half of the coral in the northern, most pristine part of the reef system has died after two successive heat waves.

— Time, "Extreme Heatwaves Killed Half of the Great Barrier Reef's Coral in 2 Years, Study Says," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.