coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl 

ˈkär-

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

coralloid

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlȯid 

ˈkär-

adjective

Examples of coral in a Sentence

brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Recent Examples on the Web

Located about three hours by boat off Ambergris Caye, the Great Blue Hole is a ring of coral encircling a huge underwater sinkhole. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2023

World & Nation Go underwater with the scientists rushing to rescue coral from the Lower 48’s only barrier reef Aug. 1, 2023 In 1900, fewer than 5,500 people lived in Phoenix — mostly hardened farmers who would pack up their harvests and migrate to the mountains during the worst of the summer. —Jack Herrera, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023

Scientists use it for instance for studying how algae, corals, and animals adapt to climate change. —IEEE Spectrum, 6 Sep. 2023

This will be in addition to the one that began destroying coral off the Florida coast last month. —Stephanie Ebbs, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2023

Their colors are yellows, oranges, reds and corals. —Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2023

After the screen was painted to match the chairs, Eddie backed it with thin wood boards cut to size and painted a contrasting coral. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023

This extra time in the water allowed for algae, corals and sea sponges to cover the hotels, attracting tiny marine creatures that seahorses eat. —Molly Enking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 July 2023

In this image provide by NOAA, a turtle swam near coral, some partially white or pink, that are signs of bleaching, at Cheeca Rocks off the coast of Islamorada, Fla., on Sunday, July 23. —Seth Borenstein, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coral

• brain coral
• coral bells
• elkhorn coral
• coral reef
• fire coral
• staghorn coral
• coral snake
• red coral

• brain coral
• coral bells
• elkhorn coral
• coral reef
• fire coral
• staghorn coral
• coral snake
• red coral

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Kids 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