reef
/rif/
verb
- To reduce the area of a sail by rolling or tying part of it.
- We had to reef the jib quickly when the squall hit.
- The captain ordered the crew to reef the sails as the wind picked up.
- He taught me how to reef the main sail properly.
noun
- A long line of rock, sand, or coral near the surface of the sea.
- The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most famous natural wonders in the world.
- Snorkelers explored the colorful coral reef teeming with fish.
- The shipwreck occurred when the boat hit a hidden reef.
- A part of a sail that can be rolled up or tied down to reduce its area in strong wind.
- They pulled the reef tight to reduce the sail's surface area.
- Learning how to take a reef is an essential skill for any sailor.
- The sailor tied a reef in the mainsail to keep the boat stable during the storm.
Synonyms