| a reef of coral running roughly parallel to the shore and separated from it by a wide, deep lagoon. |
| Great Barrier Reef. |
| a coral reef parallel to the coast of Queensland, in NE Australia. 1250 mi. (2010 km) long. |
| 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. |
| barrier reef
A long, narrow ridge of coral that runs parallel to the mainland and is separated from it by a deep lagoon. Compare atoll, fringing reef. |
barrier reef
a coral reef (q.v.) roughly parallel to a shore and separated from it by a lagoon or other body of water. A barrier reef is usually pierced by several channels that give access to the lagoon and the island or continent beyond it.
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