reed Meaning & Definition
What Does Reed Mean?
Reed is a noun that means Any of various types of tall stiff perennial grass-like plants growing together in groups near water. It can also mean The hollow stem of these plants. As a verb, it means To thatch. As a verb, it means simple past and past participle of ree.
Reed at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ɹiːd/ |
| Synonyms | beating-reed instrument and walter reed |
| Plural | reeds |
| Verb forms | reeds, reeding, reeded |
Reed Definition (Noun)
- Any of various types of tall stiff perennial grass-like plants growing together in groups near water.
- The hollow stem of these plants.
- Part of an aerophone musical instrument, comprising a thin piece of wood or metal, which vibrates to produce sound when air passes through it.
- Short for reed instrument.
- A comb-like part of a beater for beating the weft when weaving.
- A piece of whalebone or similar for stiffening the skirt or waist of a woman's dress.
- Reeding.
- A tube containing the train of powder for igniting the charge in blasting.
- Straw prepared for thatching a roof.
- A missile weapon.
- A measuring rod. A Babylonian unit of measure the length of a reed, equal to half a nindan, or six cubits.
- A Babylonian unit of measure the length of a reed, equal to half a nindan, or six cubits.
Reed as a Verb
- To thatch.
- To mill or mint with reeding.
Verb
- simple past and past participle of ree
Noun
- The fourth stomach of a ruminant; rennet.
Noun
- Part of the mouthpiece of certain woodwind instruments, comprising a thin piece of wood or metal which shakes very quickly to produce sound when a musician blows over it.
- A musical instrument such as the clarinet or oboe, which produces sound when a musician blows on the reed.
- A measuring rod.
Verb
- To become extremely excited; fly into a rage.
- To drive into a state of excitement; fire with enthusiasm.
Verb
- To riddle; to sift; to separate or throw off.
Synonyms of Reed
Reed synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
reed (countable and uncountable, plural reeds)
reed (third-person singular simple present reeds, present participle reeding, simple past and past participle reeded)
reed
reed (plural reeds)
Words That Rhyme With Reed
Origin of Reed
Origin 1: From Middle English red, from Old English hrēod, from Proto-West Germanic *hreud (“reed”), of uncertain origin.
Origin 2: From Middle English reden, from the noun (see above).
Origin 3: See ree.
Origin 4: From Middle English rede (“abomasum”), from Old English rēada, from Proto-West Germanic *raudō.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reed
Is reed a noun or a verb?
Reed is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for reed?
Words with a similar meaning to reed include beating-reed instrument and walter reed. See the full list of reed synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of reed?
The plural of reed is reeds.
What is the past tense of reed?
The past tense of reed is reeded. The present participle is reeding.