Illustration of staghorn coral
staghorn coral
noun
stag·horn coral
ˈstag-ˌhȯrn- 
: any of several large branching corals (genus Acropora, especially A. cervicornis) that somewhat resemble antlers
Examples of staghorn coral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then last year, a study last year by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and the National Marine Fisheries Service also found millions of coral and a stand of staghorn coral live in or near the channel, amounting to what might be the largest remaining wild stand of threatened staghorn.
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Jenny Staletovich, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Then last year, a study by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and the National Marine Fisheries Service also found millions of staghorn coral live in or near the channel, amounting to what might be the largest remaining wild stand of the endangered coral.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Pairs of multibar angelfish, with their zebra-like stripes and bright yellow bellies, darted across a field of silvery staghorn coral.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to carpet Florida’s reef system, rising like antlers from the seabed — but not anymore.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
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Jenny Staletovich, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Then last year, a study by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and the National Marine Fisheries Service also found millions of staghorn coral live in or near the channel, amounting to what might be the largest remaining wild stand of the endangered coral.
—Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Pairs of multibar angelfish, with their zebra-like stripes and bright yellow bellies, darted across a field of silvery staghorn coral.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Elkhorn and staghorn corals used to carpet Florida’s reef system, rising like antlers from the seabed — but not anymore.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staghorn coral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staghorn%20coral. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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