Pronunciation: [ɹˈiːd] (IPA) 
The word "reed" is spelled as /riːd/ in IPA, representing the pronunciation of the word. It starts with a voiced alveolar approximant /r/ and ends with a voiced dental fricative /ð/. The middle sound is a long vowel /iː/. The spelling of the word "reed" is considered regular, following the "ee" vowel combination rule indicating a long vowel sound. The word can refer to either a thin, tall grass or a musical instrument made from a hollow stem.
Reed refers to a tall, slender, and flexible plant that commonly grows in wetland areas, marshes, or riverbanks. It typically belongs to the grass family Poaceae or the sedge family Cyperaceae, and there are numerous species recognized as reeds. These plants are characterized by their hollow, cylindrical stems, which are usually jointed and marked by regular nodes or segments.
Moreover, the term "reed" also widely encompasses the stems (stipes) of certain other plants, such as some bamboo varieties. These stems function as a vital component in various applications, including thatching, basket weaving, musical instruments, papermaking, and more.
In addition to their utilitarian purposes, reeds hold ecological importance in wetland ecosystems. They play a crucial role in stabilizing riverbanks, acting as natural flood barriers, and providing habitats for various animal species. Birds, in particular, often use reeds as nesting sites, while amphibians and insects take shelter in their dense vegetation.
The word "reed" can also be used metaphorically to describe a musical instrument, known as a reed instrument, that produces sound through the vibration of a reed within its mouthpiece. Examples of reed instruments include the clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon.
Overall, reeds serve as versatile plants, offering practical, environmental, and artistic uses, making them an integral part of both natural and human-made landscapes.
• Red.
• A name common to many aquatic plants which have jointed hollow stems; the little mouthpiece of some musical instruments; the tongue-pieces of certain wind instruments; certain stops in an organ; that part of a loom which keeps the threads apart in the operation of weaving.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "reed" has its origins in Old English. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "ritu", which means "reed". This term is believed to have been borrowed from the Proto-Indo-European root *reit-, meaning "to tie" or "bind". The word has undergone various changes throughout history, but its fundamental meaning as a type of plant with a tall, slender stalk has remained consistent.
