peter

play

verb pe·ter \ˈpē-tər\

Definition of peter

intransitive verb
1 : to diminish gradually and come to an end : give out —usually used with out novelists whose creative impetus seems largely to have petered out — The Times Literary Supplement (London)
2 : to become exhausted —usually used with out

See peter defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of peter from the Web

The women's bibs went first; half went for $500 apiece before bidding petered out on the last two, with the last one going for $200.

— nathaniel herz, Alaska Dispatch News, "Mount Marathon hopefuls drop thousands of dollars for race slots at last-minute auction", 4 July 2017
PETER KING: Does Colin Kaepernick want to play football in 2017?

— chuck todd, The MMQB, "I Just Want to Meet the Packers at Lambeau Field", 3 July 2017
But on Thursday, after protests outside NFL stadiums, vows by sports journalists never to use the word and even former president Barack Obama urging team owner Daniel Snyder to change the name, the battle petered out.

— ian shapira, Washington Post, "Washington Redskins win trademark fight over the team’s name", 29 June 2017
But on Thursday, after protests outside NFL stadiums, vows by sports journalists never to use the word and even former president Barack Obama urging team owner Daniel Snyder to change the name, the battle petered out.

— ian shapira and ann e. marimow, chicagotribune.com, "Redskins win trademark fight against Native Americans, Justice Department over team's name", 29 June 2017
To be sure, the collusion story could still peter out.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Stop Assuming Trump Is Innocent of Russian Collusion", 29 June 2017
In fact, job gains in manufacturing petered out by 2014 and fell last year in Wisconsin and 27 other states.

— john schmid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "If Foxconn builds a manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, it won't be what many expect", 27 June 2017
PETER KING'S WEEKLY HOT READ: Want more insider information from Peter King?

— chris burke, The MMQB, "It Will Soon Be Nitpicking Season for 2018 Draft QBs", 21 June 2017
The average viewer began to peter out, opting instead for programming that was a little less confusing.

— jennifer still, HWD, "What We’re Really Losing When We Lose Orphan Black", 16 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of peter

origin unknown

peter

noun pe·ter

Definition of peter

often vulgar

: penis

Recent Examples of peter from the Web

Peters worked last year to overhaul the state’s mental health and substance abuse system by directing people quickly to treatment, no matter how they are first identified as needing help.

— michael auslen, miamiherald, "Did crackdown on ‘pill mills’ open the door to a new opioid crisis?", 30 June 2017
Peters redshirted the season and has not played in a college game.

— mark snyder, Detroit Free Press, "Pep Hamilton: Jim Harbaugh will pick QB, my job is to have him ready", 28 June 2017
PETER PAN What: Using a contemporary score with songs adapted from pop hits from the 1970s to today, director and writer Jennifer Gesvantner adapts Sir J.M. Barrie's classic tale about the boy who wouldn't grow up.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "'Peter Pan' takes wing with eclectic pop score at Slidell's Cutting Edge", 27 June 2017
Peters, who is from Bartlett, won the men's NAIA outdoor title this year while Elgin's Lopez was fifth.

— gene chamberlain, Elgin Courier-News, "Chamberlain: Judson's Anali Cisneros hopes to walk from one milestone to another", 24 June 2017
Peters broke Drew's school scoring record last season.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "Valparaiso's Alec Peters is overwhelmed when he's taken in NBA Draft", 23 June 2017
Peters, whose district stretches along the American River from Arden Arcade to Fair Oaks, said one of her constituents recently tackled a homeless man who walked right into his house.

— ellen garrison, sacbee, "Will cleaning up the American River Parkway send more homeless people into the suburbs?", 17 June 2017
Peters' attendance at the mandatory minicamp in Kansas City along with veteran teammates Eric Berry and Justin Houston made for full team participation.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity, "Chiefs defensive All-Pro trio returns for mandatory minicamp", 13 June 2017
Peters walked away under his own power and finished 13th.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Oklahoma native fulfills dream by winning truck race at Texas Motor Speedway", 9 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of peter

from the name Peter

Peter

play

noun Pe·ter \ˈpē-tər\

Definition of Peter

1 : a fisherman of Galilee and one of the twelve apostles
2 : either of two hortatory letters written to early Christians and included as books of the New Testament — see bible table

See Peter defined for kids

Recent Examples of peter from the Web

Peters worked last year to overhaul the state’s mental health and substance abuse system by directing people quickly to treatment, no matter how they are first identified as needing help.

— michael auslen, miamiherald, "Did crackdown on ‘pill mills’ open the door to a new opioid crisis?", 30 June 2017
Peters redshirted the season and has not played in a college game.

— mark snyder, Detroit Free Press, "Pep Hamilton: Jim Harbaugh will pick QB, my job is to have him ready", 28 June 2017
PETER PAN What: Using a contemporary score with songs adapted from pop hits from the 1970s to today, director and writer Jennifer Gesvantner adapts Sir J.M. Barrie's classic tale about the boy who wouldn't grow up.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "'Peter Pan' takes wing with eclectic pop score at Slidell's Cutting Edge", 27 June 2017
Peters, who is from Bartlett, won the men's NAIA outdoor title this year while Elgin's Lopez was fifth.

— gene chamberlain, Elgin Courier-News, "Chamberlain: Judson's Anali Cisneros hopes to walk from one milestone to another", 24 June 2017
Peters broke Drew's school scoring record last season.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "Valparaiso's Alec Peters is overwhelmed when he's taken in NBA Draft", 23 June 2017
Peters, whose district stretches along the American River from Arden Arcade to Fair Oaks, said one of her constituents recently tackled a homeless man who walked right into his house.

— ellen garrison, sacbee, "Will cleaning up the American River Parkway send more homeless people into the suburbs?", 17 June 2017
Peters' attendance at the mandatory minicamp in Kansas City along with veteran teammates Eric Berry and Justin Houston made for full team participation.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity, "Chiefs defensive All-Pro trio returns for mandatory minicamp", 13 June 2017
Peters walked away under his own power and finished 13th.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Oklahoma native fulfills dream by winning truck race at Texas Motor Speedway", 9 June 2017

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