barrier reef

n.
A long, narrow ridge of coral or rock parallel to and relatively near a coastline, separated from the coastline by a lagoon too deep for coral growth.

A coral reef, stretching along a line parallel with the coastline but separated from it by a wide, deep lagoon, the most famous of which is the Great Barrier Reef off north-west Australia. Also classified as barrier reefs are those coral reefs encircling islands, one of the best examples being the Turk group in the Caroline Islands. The coral on a barrier reef builds up to the level of low tides. See also coral reef.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a long coral reef near and parallel to the shore

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