petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpe-tᵊl How to pronounce petal (audio)
: one of the modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla of a flower see flower illustration
petaled adjective
or petalled
ˈpe-tᵊld How to pronounce petal (audio)
petallike
ˈpe-tᵊl-ˌ(l)īk How to pronounce petal (audio)
adjective

Examples of petal in a Sentence

flowers with pink and white petals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Families in southern Lebanon shower returning prisoners with rose petals, even as dozens more detainees remain missing and villages describe fresh Israeli raids, arrests and a climate of deep uncertainty. — Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Desserts like chocolate lava cake, Dubai chocolate gulab jamun (chocolate dumplings with kunafeh, pistachios, rose petals and edible gold), malai kulfi and sweet paan are available. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Swap the pink flowers for dark purple petals for a moodier look. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026 The jacarandas were in full effusion, stately and fragrant, tilting over the streets and scattering petals on the sidewalks. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petal

Word History

Etymology

New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon; akin to Greek petannynai to spread out — more at fathom

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petal was in 1712

Phrases Containing petal

Rhymes for petal

See All Rhymes for petal

Browse Nearby Words

Pétain
petal
petala
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petal. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

petal

noun
pet·​al ˈpet-ᵊl How to pronounce petal (audio)
: one of the often brightly colored modified leaves that make up the corolla of a flower
petaled adjective
or petalled
-ᵊld How to pronounce petal (audio)
petallike
-ᵊl-ˌ(l)īk How to pronounce petal (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on petal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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