reef
verb
reefed; reefing; reefs
1
: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion
2
: to lower or bring inboard (a spar) wholly or partially
: to reduce a sail by taking in a reef
Examples of reef in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Halekulani's Honey & Coral Project addresses Okinawa’s crippling red soil erosion – runoff that smothers reefs – by stabilizing the soil with vegetation.
—
Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The rig is also designed to be reefed while preserving optimal balance between hull and appendages, meaning the yacht performs reliably in a wide range of conditions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 June 2025
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Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The rig is also designed to be reefed while preserving optimal balance between hull and appendages, meaning the yacht performs reliably in a wide range of conditions.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reef
Cite this Entry
“Reef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reef. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reef
1 of 3 noun1
: a part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating size
2
: the reduction in sail area made by reefing
reef
2 of 3 verb
: to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding a portion
reef
3 of 3 noun
: a chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the surface of water
Etymology
Middle English riff "reef of a sail"; of Norse origin
from Dutch rif "reef of rocks or sand"; of Scandinavian origin
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