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Definition of petrel

petrel

/ˈpɛt.ɹəl/
pet · rel
Plural:petrels
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petrel Lexical Profile

petrel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A widely distributed tube-nosed seabird of the order Procellariiformes, known for flying far out over the open ocean and feeding on small marine life near the surface.

Example

"As the expedition ship crossed the Southern Ocean, a solitary petrel followed in its wake, gliding effortlessly just above the turbulent waves."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for petrel

• Rhymes for petrel

• Nearby Words

petnapper
petnapping
petrea
petrel
petri
petrichor
petrification

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century; traditionally believed to be named after Saint Peter because of the bird's habit of hovering with its webbed feet touching the ocean surface, appearing to walk on water.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Petrel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/petrel
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