reed

1 of 2

noun

ˈrēd 

1

a

: any of various tall grasses with slender often prominently jointed stems that grow especially in wet areas

b

: a stem of a reed

c

: a person or thing too weak to rely on : one easily swayed or overcome

2

: a growth or mass of reeds

specifically : reeds for thatching

3

: arrow

4

: a wind instrument made from the hollow joint of a plant

5

: an ancient Hebrew unit of length equal to six cubits

6

a

: a thin elastic tongue (as of cane, wood, metal, or plastic) fastened at one end over an air opening in a wind instrument (such as a clarinet, organ pipe, or accordion) and set in vibration by an air current

b

: a woodwind instrument that produces sound by the vibrating of a reed against the mouthpiece

the reeds of an orchestra

7

: a device on a loom resembling a comb and used to space warp yarns evenly

8

: reeding sense 1a

reedlike

ˈrēd-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of reed

• reed 6a

reed

2 of 2

verb

reeded; reeding; reeds

transitive verb

: mill sense 2

Synonyms

Noun

• doormat
• jellyfish
• namby-pamby
• pushover
• weakling
• wimp

Examples of reed in a Sentence

Noun

the reeds along the edge of a pond

the reed section of the orchestra

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The four rectangular objects, each measuring about three inches long, sat atop reeds in a corner of the tomb. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

The Barbican’s broad stage is virtually empty, except for a large cluster of reeds in the center, which allows for amusing entrances and exits throughout the performance. —Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025

Verb

Griggs prefers blood orange Coupe and reed the deep mauve Ember. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024

Their monthly candle and reed diffuser subscription is sure to make any candle-lover swoon. —Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 11 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rede, from Old English hrēod; akin to Old High German hriot reed

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing reed

• beating reed
• bur reed
• double reed
• free reed
• giant reed
• reed organ
• reed pipe

Rhymes for reed

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• deed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed

Kids Definition

reed

noun

ˈrēd

1

a

: any of various tall slender grasses of wet areas that have stems with large joints

b

: a stem of such a grass

c

: a growth or mass of reeds

2

: a musical instrument made of the hollow joint of a plant

3

: a thin flexible strip (as of cane, wood, metal, or plastic) fastened at one end to the mouthpiece of a musical instrument (as a clarinet) or over an air opening (as in an accordion) and set in vibration by an air current (as the breath)

Biographical Definition

Reed 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

ˈrēd 

John 1887–1920 American journalist, poet, and Communist

Reed

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Stanley Forman 1884–1980 American jurist

Reed

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Thomas Brackett 1839–1902 American politician

Reed

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Walter 1851–1902 American army surgeon