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
Though the reef looked healthy, Sea Saba and the Saba Conservation Foundation, which manages the island's parks, are raising baby corals in an offshore nursery to replace reefs lost to hurricanes and climate change.
—
Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The sweetness feels deliberate rather than overly heavy, folding into a floral heart of lily of the valley, coral rose, and orange blossom.
—Pia Velasco, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Trunk Bay's Underwater Snorkel Trail is a 650-foot-long sea trail complete with underwater plaques identifying the corals, plants, fish, and turtles that inhabit these crystalline waters for the most informative swim of your life.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Close-up Photographer of the Year announces 2025 winner A trippy image of a coral, a huge swarm of mayflies and a ravenous spider were among the winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year award.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coral
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Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
The sweetness feels deliberate rather than overly heavy, folding into a floral heart of lily of the valley, coral rose, and orange blossom.
—Pia Velasco, Allure, 10 Feb. 2026
Trunk Bay's Underwater Snorkel Trail is a 650-foot-long sea trail complete with underwater plaques identifying the corals, plants, fish, and turtles that inhabit these crystalline waters for the most informative swim of your life.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Close-up Photographer of the Year announces 2025 winner A trippy image of a coral, a huge swarm of mayflies and a ravenous spider were among the winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year award.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coral
Cite this Entry
“Coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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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