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
That’s what happened to some of the coral reefs around the Ulithi atoll, which has a population of about 1,000 people, and where a fast-growing species of Montipora coral, known as rice coral, has been smothering other species.
—
Fanni Szakal, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
Or, in the case of seashells and coral, carefully arrange and add new pieces to the jar to keep them from cracking.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024
The walls are covered with sea shells, coral, fossils and other artifacts of all shapes and sizes.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2024
Related Articles Rhode’s Pocket Blushes come in six shades that vary from earthy mauves to bright, punchy corals and true pinks.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for coral 
Fanni Szakal, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
Or, in the case of seashells and coral, carefully arrange and add new pieces to the jar to keep them from cracking.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024
The walls are covered with sea shells, coral, fossils and other artifacts of all shapes and sizes.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2024
Related Articles Rhode’s Pocket Blushes come in six shades that vary from earthy mauves to bright, punchy corals and true pinks.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for coral
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near coral
Cite this Entry
“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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