petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpe-tᵊl 

: one of the modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla of a flower see flower illustration

petaled adjective

or petalled

ˈpe-tᵊld 

petallike

ˈpe-tᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective

Examples of petal in a Sentence

flowers with pink and white petals

Recent Examples on the Web

The daisy-like blooms of cape marigold boast bright orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white ray petals surrounding a pollen-rich eye. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024

Moore shared intimate footage of her daughter walking into a romantic proposal, rose petals sprawled across the stone walkway. —Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024

Strain petals, and allow simple syrup to cool before use. —Emily Price, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Instead of petals shaped like a sweet white dog, Gulley got an array of flowers with creepy eyes peeking out; think less canine, more catastrophe. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing petal

• banner petal
• standard petal

Kids Definition

petal

noun

pet·​al ˈpet-ᵊl 

: one of the often brightly colored modified leaves that make up the corolla of a flower

petaled adjective

or petalled

-ᵊld 

petallike

-ᵊl-ˌ(l)īk 

adjective