reef

/ɹiːf/noun

A ridge of rock, coral, or sand lying just below or at the surface of the sea.

Example sentences

“Snorkelers came from all over to explore the coral reef.”
“The fishing boat ran aground on a reef near the island.”

'Coral reef' is by far the dominant pairing. Ships 'hit' or 'strike' a reef, the classic maritime disaster.

Related words

coralA small sea animal of the class Anthozoa that lives in colonies and usually builds a hard chalky skeleton; also the colony such animals form.geyserA natural hot spring that regularly shoots columns of steam and boiling water into the air.seashellThe hard outer covering left behind by a sea creature such as a clam or snail.springThe season of the year between winter and summer, when the weather gets warmer and plants start to grow.seaweedA plant-like organism, such as kelp, that grows in the sea.brookA small, natural stream of flowing water, smaller than a river.