staghorn coral

noun

stag·​horn coral ˈstag-ˌhȯrn- How to pronounce staghorn coral (audio)
: any of several large branching corals (genus Acropora, especially A. cervicornis) that somewhat resemble antlers

Illustration of staghorn coral

Illustration of staghorn coral

Examples of staghorn coral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As branching coral look-alikes, the cuttlefish splayed out their arms and displayed dark mottles to blend in with staghorn coral. — Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025 This might serve to help the cuttlefish hide among staghorn corals to conceal its approach to prey. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of staghorn coral was in 1884

Rhymes for staghorn coral

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Browse Nearby Words

staghorn
staghorn coral
stag-horned
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Cite this Entry

“Staghorn coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staghorn%20coral. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about staghorn coral

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