: a wind instrument made from the hollow joint of a plant
5
: an ancient Hebrew unit of length equal to six cubits
6
a
: a thin elastic tongue (as of cane, wood, metal, or plastic) fastened at one end over an air opening in a wind instrument (such as a clarinet, organ pipe, or accordion) and set in vibration by an air current
b
: a woodwind instrument that produces sound by the vibrating of a reed against the mouthpiece
the reeds of an orchestra
7
: a device on a loom resembling a comb and used to space warp yarns evenly
Noun
the reeds along the edge of a pond
the reed section of the orchestra
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Noun
Shrek's swamp is dimly-lit and dotted with thatched cottages as well as reeds and artificial moss covering fake wooden logs.—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 The best reed diffusers give your favorite candle a run for its money.—Sarah Madaus, Allure, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Griggs prefers blood orange Coupe and reed the deep mauve Ember.—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024 Their monthly candle and reed diffuser subscription is sure to make any candle-lover swoon.—Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 11 Nov. 2022 See all Example Sentences for reed
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English rede, from Old English hrēod; akin to Old High German hriot reed
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
: any of various tall slender grasses of wet areas that have stems with large joints
b
: a stem of such a grass
c
: a growth or mass of reeds
2
: a musical instrument made of the hollow joint of a plant
3
: a thin flexible strip (as of cane, wood, metal, or plastic) fastened at one end to the mouthpiece of a musical instrument (as a clarinet) or over an air opening (as in an accordion) and set in vibration by an air current (as the breath)
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