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

Reflexing adds dimension, allowing some blossoms to appear fuller while drawing attention to details—like the pistil and stamen—that might otherwise go unnoticed when hidden within the petals. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Consider paintings like Caracalla, where the titular emperor treads a trail of rose petals; or In a Rose Garden, where a woman shakes the petals of a rose bush down on her companion; and the extravaganza of The Roses of Heliogabalus. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2026

When the two shared a kiss, Karen playfully sprinkled flower petals on her husband’s hand. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Ferguson’s ring features a central ruby encircled by diamonds that resemble flower petals. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 July 2026

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
• acetyl
• bimetal
• gunmetal
• nonmetal

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