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

See peter defined for kids

Recent Examples of peter from the Web

Flamingos were briefly a mascot of gay culture but largely petered out, with few mourning when Union Products closed its plastics factory.

— matthew boyle, Bloomberg.com, "Here’s Who to Blame for the Resurgence of Flamingo Kitsch," 28 July 2017
The commodities boom petered out and hampered regional economies, while corruption scandals undercut their authority and agendas.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "The World’s Most Powerful Women: July 25," 25 July 2017
That action would last only an hour at most, and then the bites would peter down to almost nothing.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "What I learned during a week fishing Florida," 24 July 2017
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
Two years after the Umbrella Revolution petered out, the previously taboo idea of an independent Hong Kong found support of nearly one-in-six Hongkongers, according to a poll by the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "Believe in the motherland, China’s leader tells Hong Kong people — and respect its might," 30 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, 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

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

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
Others: Peters, 42nd to the Jazz; Bryant, 54th to the Suns; Beachem, 59th to the Spurs.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "Last call for NBA mock drafts: No consensus on the Pacers' pick," 21 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.com, "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.com, "Chiefs defensive All-Pro trio returns for mandatory minicamp," 13 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
Others: Peters, 42nd to the Jazz; Bryant, 54th to the Suns; Beachem, 59th to the Spurs.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "Last call for NBA mock drafts: No consensus on the Pacers' pick," 21 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.com, "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.com, "Chiefs defensive All-Pro trio returns for mandatory minicamp," 13 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

Late Latin Petrus, from Greek Petros, from petra rock

Peter

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biographical name Pe·ter \ ˈpē-tər \

Definition of Peter

circa 1050–1115 the Hermit French preacher of the 1st Crusade

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See words that rhyme with peter Nglish: Translation of peter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of peter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peter

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