petiole

noun

pet·​i·​ole ˈpe-tē-ˌōl 

1

: a slender stem that supports the blade of a foliage leaf

2

: peduncle

specifically : a slender abdominal segment joining the rest of the abdomen to the thorax in some insects

petioled

ˈpe-tē-ˌōld 

adjective

Examples of petiole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Step 2: Prepare Begonia Leaf Next, remove a leaf from the parent plant and use a sterile razor blade to cut through the underside veins on the leaf about a quarter of the way from the petiole (leaf stem). —Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025

Usually, three leaflets are attached to one petiole (the stalk that holds a leaf to the main stem or branch). —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2024

Poison ivy has compound leaves, meaning several leaflets are on one petiole or stalk. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2024

The disease can move out of the leaf into the petiole and into the cane. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Citrus leaves may develop a flange along the leaf stem, the petiole, that looks like a smaller version of the leaf blade. —Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024

The petiole attaches the leaf to the trunk and funnels water through a split in its base. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2015

The tiny prickles on the back of the petiole are hard to see and can really snag unsuspecting gardeners. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022

Richardson and her team tested both hypotheses in their model and found that the older idea, linking only the sheath to the petiole, offered the simplest evolutionary path and required only subtle changes in a common genetic blueprint. —Julia Rosen, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin petiolus, from Latin petiolus, peciolus small foot, fruit stalk, probably alteration of Latin *pediciolus, diminutive of pediculus, diminutive of ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for petiole

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole

Kids Definition

petiole

noun

pet·​i·​ole ˈpet-ē-ˌōl 

: the thin stem of a leaf