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

Miranda Priestly may have snubbed florals as dépassé in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, but nearly 20 years later, contemporary designers are pushing the pattern in exciting directions, bringing a fresh, new, and frankly edgy take on plants—particularly ones with petals. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, its middle notes are super floral—with geranium, rose petals of course, and jasmine. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 24 Jan. 2025

It’s adorned with rose petals in the shape of a heart and embellished with a buffalo plaid bow, and shoppers say the wreath is sturdy enough to hold up in snowy and rainy weather. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2025

At a wedding hall on the outskirts of Bangkok, the couple walked down the aisle in locked arms, as bridesmaids sprinkled their path with rose petals amid cheers from friends and relatives. —Kocha Olarn, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025

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