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

This dahlia is a bee favorite for a couple of reasons: The single bicolor petals have a highly visible golden yellow center that guides bees directly to the pollen. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025

His 2021 Spring Street Cabernet Sauvignon is inky purple colored with aromas of red plum, black currant, and a touch of crushed violet petals. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025

The time is shown by opening petals on the two sides. —Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Then, reduce the heat and let the petals simmer for about half an hour. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 Apr. 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

Rhymes for petal

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle

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