barrier reef

noun

: a coral reef roughly parallel to a shore and separated from it usually by a lagoon

Examples of barrier reef in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Thriving for more than five millennia, the barrier reef is a haven for captivating ecosystems, including over 165 species of reef fish found nowhere else on Earth, as well as dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, and the majestic Napoleon wrasse. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 The key to a great surfing site: the reef pass On volcanic islands, barrier reefs are separated from land by lagoons. Júlia Ledur, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 That can mean ziplining and canopy climbing at No. 3 Hotel Belmar, or tubing along the Rio Celeste at No. 9 Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, or diving the second-largest barrier reef at No. 10. Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024 Spanning nearly 72 miles, the largest barrier reef system in Mexico and the Caribbean, Banco Chinchorro, is just an hour-long boat ride away. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for barrier reef 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barrier reef.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrier reef was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near barrier reef

Cite this Entry

“Barrier reef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier%20reef. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

barrier reef

noun
: a coral reef roughly parallel to a shore and separated from it by a lagoon

More from Merriam-Webster on barrier reef

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