Reed: meaning, definitions and examples

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reed

[ riːd ]

^{Context #1}

musical instrument

A reed is a thin piece of material which vibrates to produce sound in various musical instruments such as clarinets, saxophones, and oboes.

Synonyms

blade, vibrating piece

Examples of usage

The clarinet player carefully adjusted the reed before the performance.
She bought a new reed for her saxophone.

^{Context #2}

plant

A reed is a tall, slender grass-like plant that grows in wetlands or near bodies of water.

Synonyms

bulrush, cane

Examples of usage

The pond was surrounded by tall reeds.
Birds build nests using reeds as a building material.

Translations

Translations of the word "reed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caniço

🇮🇳 सरकंडा

🇩🇪 Schilfrohr

🇮🇩 buluh

🇺🇦 очерет

🇵🇱 trzcina

🇯🇵 アシ

🇫🇷 roseau

🇪🇸 caña

🇹🇷 kamış

🇰🇷 갈대

🇸🇦 قصب

🇨🇿 rákos

🇸🇰 trstina

🇨🇳 芦苇

🇸🇮 trst

🇮🇸 reyr

🇰🇿 қамыс

🇬🇪 ლერწამი

🇦🇿 qamış

🇲🇽 caña

Word origin

The word 'reed' has Old English origins, dating back to the 8th century. It comes from the Proto-Germanic word 'reutho' meaning 'reed'. The use of 'reed' to refer to a musical instrument component dates back to the 15th century, while the plant-related meaning has been in use since the 14th century.