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

However, not all of the corals in the study responded equally well to the treatments. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

The Florida Coral Reef and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the third and largest reef ecosystems, respectively, have already seen extensive bleaching, with 90 percent of the Great Barrier Reef's coral affected in 2022. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

The family pool by the beach is home to the bustling Beach Club, with a Miami-esque color palette of coral and mint, lots of seashell details, and palapa-style roofs. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2024

When water gets too warm, corals expel algae that live in their tissues and give them their vibrant colors. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

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

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