petrel

noun

pe·​trel ˈpe-trəl  ˈpē- 

: any of numerous seabirds (especially families Procellariidae and Hydrobatidae)

especially : one of the smaller long-winged birds that fly far from land compare storm petrel

Examples of petrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Snow petrels are highly associated with pack ice, among the most ice-dependent of Antarctic seabirds. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

If fish are difficult to find and aren’t plentiful — if the food source shifts an extra 200 kilometers, say, and an adult petrel therefore has to fly 800 km for food — the journey takes longer, and will affect the chick’s growth. —Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025

Snow petrels are the southernmost breeding vertebrate, found across Antarctica and the subantarctic islands. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

Often mistaken for gulls at a distance, prions are members of the petrel family and are superb oceanic flyers. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier also pitteril, pitteral, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing petrel

• storm petrel
• stormy petrel

Rhymes for petrel

• diametral

Kids Definition

petrel

noun

pe·​trel ˈpe-trəl  ˈpē- 

: any of various seabirds with long wings that fly far from land