petrel

[ pe-truhl ]

/ ˈpɛ trəl /

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noun

any of numerous tube-nosed seabirds of the families Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, and Pelecanoididae.

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Compare storm petrel, diving petrel.

Origin of petrel

1670–80; earlier pitteral, of uncertain origin; perhaps altered by association with St. Peter (who attempted to walk on the water of Lake Gennesareth), alluding to the bird's habit of flying close to the ocean surface

Words nearby petrel

Petrarch, Petrarchan, Petrarchan sonnet, Petrarchism, Petrarchist, petrel, petri-, petrichor, petri dish, Petrie, petrifaction

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use petrel in a sentence

The Petrel then took up position and shelled the fort with varying result, followed by the Raleigh.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The Olympia hurled about 70 5-inch shells and 16 8-inch shells, and the Petrel and the Raleigh about the same number each.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
On that date the American gunboat Petrel and a large steam-launch suddenly appeared in Cebú harbour.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Weary to death, Eric flung himself down, and slept deep and sound till the morning, on board the Stormy Petrel.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar

A petrel it is, about the size of a house pigeon, and of a slate-blue colour.
The Land of Fire|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for petrel

petrel

/ (ˈpɛtrəl) /

noun

any oceanic bird of the order Procellariiformes, having a hooked bill and tubular nostrils: includes albatrosses, storm petrels, and shearwatersSee also storm petrel

Word Origin for petrel

C17: variant of earlier pitteral, associated by folk etymology with St Peter, because the bird appears to walk on water

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012