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

Elsewhere, layers of organza were assembled to look like petals or feathers. —Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

They are allied with regal and Martha Washington geraniums, and both bear prolific blooms with deep red petals; the petal bases of Lily are black, while those of Jack of Hearts are red. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025

Falling cherry blossoms and our mouths opening to catch the petals. —Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

Another, magenta flower petals painted on. —Essence, 23 Sep. 2025

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
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal
• resettle

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