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
Examples of coral in a Sentence
brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral
Recent Examples on the Web
The palette is beachy and neutral with organic materials like coral and sisal, and activities range from cocktail- and ceviche-making classes to guided bonefishing excursions and diving tours to help coral cultivation and planting.
—
Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Specimens of six species remained 90% healthy, compared with just 24% of wild corals.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2025
Plucking sponges from the reef prevents the glassy invertebrates from overpopulating and creates gaps in the reef where young corals can attach and grow.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Instead of a coral reef like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia that is a network of several colonies, this is a standalone coral that has grown uninterrupted for centuries.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for coral 
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Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Specimens of six species remained 90% healthy, compared with just 24% of wild corals.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2025
Plucking sponges from the reef prevents the glassy invertebrates from overpopulating and creates gaps in the reef where young corals can attach and grow.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Instead of a coral reef like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia that is a network of several colonies, this is a standalone coral that has grown uninterrupted for centuries.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for coral
Dictionary Entries Near coral
Cite this Entry
“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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