Illustration of reed
- reed 6a
1
a
: any of various tall grasses with slender often prominently jointed stems that grow especially in wet areas
b
: a stem of a reed
c
: a person or thing too weak to rely on : one easily swayed or overcome
2
: a growth or mass of reeds
specifically
: reeds for thatching
3
: arrow
4
: 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
8
Synonyms
Examples of reed in a Sentence
Noun
the reeds along the edge of a pond
the reed section of the orchestra
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
Another first-time swan hunter and DU volunteer, John, accompanied us into the invasive bushy-topped reeds.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024
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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The invasive reed will choke riparian habitat, threatening the native plants and wildlife that rely on the desert waterways.
—Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
Another first-time swan hunter and DU volunteer, John, accompanied us into the invasive bushy-topped reeds.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024
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
Dictionary Entries Near reed
Cite this Entry
“Reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reed. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Reed
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Stanley Forman 1884–1980 American jurist
Reed
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Thomas Brackett 1839–1902 American politician
Reed
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Walter 1851–1902 American army surgeon
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share