plural reeds
1
: a tall, thin grass that grows in wet areas
the reeds along the edge of a pond
2
a
: a thin strip of wood, metal, or plastic inside some musical instruments (such as clarinets and oboes) that makes a sound when you blow over it
b
: a musical instrument that has a reed
the orchestra's reeds
the reed section of the orchestra
Cite this Entry
“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/reed. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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