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
petallike 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.
The spikey cones remain standing on sturdy, tall stems for months after the petals drop. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2025 Its dock opened like flower petals unfolding and the drone, a much smaller quadcopter than the Alta X, shot up into the air. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025 Top with flower petals and then edible gold leaf. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025 The reality star rented out the 12,000-seat stadium and had 175,000 rose petals laid on the field in the shape of a heart. Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petal. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

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
petallike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on petal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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