to diminish gradually and stop; dwindle to nothing; gradually come to an end (usually followed by out oraway ): The hearings petered to an inevitable conclusion.
The criticism seems to have petered out.
The hearings petered to an inevitable conclusion.
to tire; become exhausted (usually followed byout ).
I began to peter out after walking about 2 miles.
Also called Simon Peter. died a.d. 67?, one of the 12 apostles and the reputed author of two of the Epistles.
either of these two Epistles in the New Testament, I Peter or II Peter.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter P.
a male given name.
a safe, till, or cash box
a prison cell
the witness box in a courtroom
a slang word for penis
Saint. Also called: Simon Peter. died ?67 ad , a fisherman of Bethsaida, who became leader of the apostles and is regarded by Roman Catholics as the first pope; probably martyred at Rome. Feast day: June 29 or Jan 18
either of two epistles traditionally ascribed to Peter (in full The First Epistle and The Second Epistle of Peter )
The great church of the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, was later built on what was believed to be the site of his burial.
Peter is often depicted holding keys. Roman Catholics maintain a number of traditions about Peter: that he was the first of the popes, for example, and that he was martyred at Rome by being crucified upside down, because he refused to be crucified as Jesus had been.
First recorded in 1845–50; origin uncertain
First recorded in 1870–75; generic use of the proper name
First recorded in 1885–90; from blue peter
Middle English; Old English Petrus < Latin < Greek Pétros stone, translation of Syriac kēfā
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those reports are starting to peter out now, but they could still move markets.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
While most experts are predicting this hantavirus outbreak will peter out, it’s not the kind of prediction you want to be wrong about either.
From Salon ● May 11, 2026
Navellier, for his part, told MarketWatch he was “not worried about valuations” and expected the selloff to peter out “sooner rather than later.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 18, 2025
Fears that construction could peter out haven’t deterred towns from tethering their fortunes more tightly to the corporate spending sprees and stratospheric Wall Street valuations that are fueling talk of a bubble.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Finally, a good five minutes later when the conversation began to peter out, Isabelle turned her blue eyes on Dimple.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Conducted by its incoming music director, Peter Whelan—just the fourth in the group’s 45-year history—the orchestra was in excellent form, its stylish swing and careful balances buoyantly supporting the singers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
As in the previous films, Peter attempts to balance his personal woes with superhero struggles — but he’ll have another Avenger in his corner.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Kratsios is not a scientist; his previous experience includes working at an investment fund run by Peter Thiel and for the Department of Government Efficiency under Musk.
From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026
I was fortunate enough to be present for her last performance of Peter Lieberson’s “Neruda Songs” at the Kennedy Center in March 2006.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
I was longing to say something to Peter while Mutti was out of the room, but I was too shy, and anyway I could not think of a thing to say.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
