coral

noun

cor·al | \ ˈkȯr-əl

, ˈkär- \

Definition of coral

1a : 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

3a : a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)

b : a deep pink

Other Words from coral Example Sentences Phrases Containing coral Learn More About coral

Examples of coral in a Sentence

brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Recent Examples on the Web The assembly of furniture is accessorized with shells and coral, which Nikki collects for their natural beauty. — Krissa Rossbund, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 Her team studied three species of coral from the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. — Christopher Intagliata, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2022 The previous bleaching damaged two-thirds of the coral. — NBC News, 18 Mar. 2022 The previous bleaching damaged two-thirds of the coral. — Rod Mcguirk, ajc, 18 Mar. 2022 The team was equipped with special tanks and did 200 hours of diving to study the reef, including taking photographs, measurements and samples of the coral. — Victoria Milko, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Jan. 2022 The team was equipped with special tanks and did 200 hours of diving to study the reef, including taking photographs, measurements, and samples of the coral. — Victoria Milko, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jan. 2022 Lacking diving equipment, the team worked at low tide, documenting the condition and diversity of the coral. — Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 4 Nov. 2021 The sponge protects the dolphins from sharp rocks and coral that would otherwise nick their faces. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 14 Apr. 2022 See More

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.