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

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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.
This might serve to help the cuttlefish hide among staghorn corals to conceal its approach to prey. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025 While even dying staghorn corals can poke up from reefs like deer antlers from heather, other species, such as brain corals, may protrude less than an inch. — airmail.news, 24 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

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

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“Staghorn coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staghorn%20coral. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about staghorn coral

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