coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl How to pronounce coral (audio)
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 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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coral was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near coral

Cite this Entry

“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

coral

noun
cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl How to pronounce coral (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on coral

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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