reed

Definitions

• (countable) Any of various types of tall stiff perennial grass-like plants growing together in groups near water.
• (countable) The hollow stem of these plants.
• (countable) 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.
• (countable) A musical instrument such as the clarinet or oboe, which produces sound when a musician blows on the reed.
• (countable) A comb-like part of a beater for beating the weft when weaving.
• (countable) A piece of whalebone or similar for stiffening the skirt or waist of a woman's dress.
• (uncountable) Reeding.
• (mining) A tube containing the train of powder for igniting the charge in blasting.
• Straw prepared for thatching a roof.
• (poetic) A missile weapon.
• (archaic) A measuring rod.