- reef⇄noun 1. a part of a sail that can be rolled or folded up to reduce the area exposed to the wind.
2. the size a sail is reduced to by reefing.
3a. the act of reefing.
b. a method of reefing. - reef⇄reef (1), noun.
1. a narrow ridge of rocks, sand, or coral at or near the surface of the water.
Ex. The ship was wrecked on a hidden reef.
(SYN) shoal.
2. a vein or lode in mining. - reef⇄reef (2), noun, verb.
- reef⇄v.t. 1. to reduce the area of (a sail) by rolling or folding up a part of it.
2. to reduce the length of (a topmast, bowsprit, spar, or yard) as by lowering.