albatross

noun al·ba·tross \ ˈal-bə-ˌtrȯs , -ˌträs \

Definition of albatross

plural albatross or albatrosses

1 :any of a family (Diomedeidae) of large web-footed seabirds that have long slender wings, are excellent gliders, and include the largest seabirds

2 a :something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety

b :something that greatly hinders accomplishment :encumbrance

Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life.

See albatross defined for English-language learners

See albatross defined for kids

Examples of albatross in a Sentence

Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal and happy life.
Fame has become an albatross around her neck.

Recent Examples of albatross from the Web

Offensive play has been the team’s albatross of late.

— david humphrey, star-telegram, "A team-by-team preview of the 2017 NFL season," 25 Aug. 2017
For Pescetto, there was a time when DuckTales felt more like an albatross.

— darryn king, HWD, "The Story of the DuckTales Theme, History’s Catchiest Single Minute of Music," 9 Aug. 2017
Notes: The tournament uses the modified Stableford format that awards 8 points for an albatross, 5 points for an eagle, 2 points for a birdie and no points for a par.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "PGA Tour 2017: Live leaderboard, tee times for Barracuda Championship final round," 6 Aug. 2017
That commitment to destroy the law became an albatross around the governing party’s neck.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Obamacare Lives," 28 July 2017
At that point, all the chatter was about the money, and about Sanchez’s albatross contract.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Anibal Sanchez's renaissance worthy of Disney, if he can keep it up," 6 July 2017
His contract wasn’t going to be an Enes Kanter-like albatross going forward, but Presti will find himself in a significantly more flexible salary cap position next summer if George does walk.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "Trade Grades: Thunder Poach Paul George From Pacers In Stunner," 2 July 2017
In recent years the triangle had become an albatross for the team, with head coach Jeff Hornacek admitting that the slower-than-usual style of play prevents players from signing with the Knicks.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "Now That Phil Jackson Is Gone, What’s Next for the Knicks?," 29 June 2017
The Biyombo contract, in particular, is an albatross to the Magic.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Magic seem unlikely to make major move in free agency," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'albatross.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Why is albatross used to refer to a burden?

The albatross is an exceedingly large seabird, having a wingspan as much as 11 feet across. It is a magnificent glider, capable of staying aloft for hours at a time without flapping its wings, and tends to remain almost entirely at sea, typically coming ashore only to breed.

In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the titular mariner kills an albatross that has been following his ship, bringing down a curse that leads to the death of all other crew members. As a punishment, the crew hang the dead bird from the mariner’s neck, and he remains alive to witness the ship’s fate unfold. This potent emblem led to the coining of a metaphorical meaning for albatross as something that causes anxiety or guilt or that burdens and encumbers.

Illustration of albatross

Origin and Etymology of albatross

probably alteration of obsolete alcatrace frigate bird, from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz pelican, from Arabic al-ghaṭṭās, a kind of sea eagle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1672

See Words from the same year

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

ALBATROSS Defined for English Language Learners

albatross

noun

Definition of albatross for English Language Learners

: a large white ocean bird that has very long wings
: a continuing problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do or achieve something

ALBATROSS Defined for Kids

albatross

noun al·ba·tross \ ˈal-bə-ˌtrȯs \

Definition of albatross for Students

:a very large seabird with webbed feet

Learn More about albatross

See words that rhyme with albatross Spanish Central: Translation of albatross Nglish: Translation of albatross for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about albatross

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albatross

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