coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl 

ˈkär-

1

a

: 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

3

a

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

b

: a deep pink

coral adjective

coralloid

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlȯid 

ˈkär-

adjective

Examples of coral in a Sentence

brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Recent Examples on the Web

Rochín-Bañaga, who was not involved in the new research, has used the method to analyze ancient corals and belemnites, an extinct order of squidlike cephalopods. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

See new species A new species of coral, Iridogorgia chewbacca, was discovered near the Mariana Trench and the Hawaiian Islands, characterized by its long, spiraling structures and iridescent appearance. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

But this archipelago in the South China Sea between Borneo and mainland Malaysia is one of Indonesia’s first marine conservation areas, with vibrant corals and a kaleidoscope of marine life accessible in less than 90 feet of water. —Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025

Advertisement To pave way for the container port, even corals are currently set to be moved from Galathea Bay. —M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coral

• brain coral
• coral bells
• coral reef
• coral snake
• elkhorn coral
• fire coral
• red coral
• staghorn coral

Rhymes for coral

• aural
• chloral
• choral
• floral
• forel
• lauryl
• loral
• moral
• quarrel
• sorel
• sorrel
• toral

Kids Definition

coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl 

ˈkär-

1

a

: the stony or horny deposit that is composed of the skeletons of various polyps

especially : a richly red coral used in jewelry

b

: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton

2

: a deep pink

coral adjective