rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryreefUnderwater ridge
noun

reef

REEF/riːf/

A ridge of coral, rock, or sand near the water's surface.

The reef rises close to the water's surface.

A compact cutaway of shallow seawater shows a continuous ridge of rock and coral rising close to the water surface; a few small natural corals, no people, boats, lettering or panoramic ocean.
Etymology
reefOld Norserib; ridge in the sea

A Scandinavian ancestor such as Old Norse rif meant both “rib” and “ridge in the sea.” The underwater ridge thus carries the image of a rib.

In context

Storytime Haven481:39
bore a brown biscuit-bag over his shoulder. Under his direction the rowers skirted the dangerous surf which beat against the cliffs until they came to a spot where an outlying reef formed a breakwater.
Sir Nigel ⚔️🌟 | A Tale of Chivalry and Adventure | Arthur Conan Doyle

More examples

  • The boat nearly struck a shallow reef.
  • Divers explored the outer edge of the reef.
  • Waves broke over the rocky reef.

Forms

reef · reefs

Similar words

shoal
A shallow area, often sand, without necessarily a distinct ridge.
bank
A raised underwater area that may lie deeper.