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

Each individual coral releases eggs or sperm simultaneously, creating the best conditions for fertilization success, genetic diversity and protection from predators—which simply can’t consume all the eggs. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

Most spawning corals release bundles of eggs that resemble Dippin’ Dots ice cream. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

The video sequences, which Munk conceptualizes along with the food, can be especially unsettling: what initially appears to be a dreamy vision of jellyfish swimming around a reef evolves into a visual reprimand about ocean pollution, with plastic detritus outlasting dying coral. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024

Two Atlanta metro railcars have been sunk in the Atlantic Ocean and are now the happy home of a bunch of fish, sea turtles and coral. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 14 Sep. 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