TOP

Definition of petrel noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

petrel

noun
 
/ˈpetrəl/
 
/ˈpetrəl/
jump to other results
  1. a black and white bird that can fly over the sea a long way from landTopics Birdsc2
    Word Originearly 17th cent.: associated with St Peter, from the bird's habit of flying low with legs dangling, giving the appearance of walking on the water (see the Bible, Matthew 14:30).
See petrel in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: petrel

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 5000
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day