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 vast underwater ecosystem is home to more than 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, according to UNESCO.
—
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
Gorilla ogo forms dense mats on Hawaiian reefs, killing the coral and driving away fish and other animals, including tourists.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
After the exhibition closes, it will be sunk in the Pacific Ocean as a deposit for growing coral, part of Chang’s ongoing work with oceans and the environment.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
There are touches of cheery green, yellow, blue, and coral in the living room, and each room has its own color palette.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coral
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Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
Gorilla ogo forms dense mats on Hawaiian reefs, killing the coral and driving away fish and other animals, including tourists.
—Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
After the exhibition closes, it will be sunk in the Pacific Ocean as a deposit for growing coral, part of Chang’s ongoing work with oceans and the environment.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
There are touches of cheery green, yellow, blue, and coral in the living room, and each room has its own color palette.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coral
Cite this Entry
“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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