reef

/ɹˈiːf/

/ˈɹif/

Reef

a ridge of rock or a line of sand near the surface of a body of water

one of several strips across a sail that can be taken in or rolled up to lessen the area of the sail that is exposed to the wind

a rocky region in the southern Transvaal in northeastern South Africa; contains rich gold deposits and coal and manganese

synonyms : Rand

to reef

MAIN VERB

roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area

reduce (a sail) by taking in a reef

lower and bring partially inboard

Examples

1. We saw a group of fish swimming together near the coral reef.

2. The sea is home to a variety of marine life, such as fish, dolphins, and coral reefs.

3. Reefs are an increasingly important resource for breakthrough medical treatments, too.

4. No reefs can survive both changes.