: any of numerous seabirds (especially families Procellariidae and Hydrobatidae)
especially
: one of the smaller long-winged birds that fly far from land compare storm petrel
Examples of petrel in a Sentence
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Birds abound across the shores of Duiker Island, with Sandwich terns, giant petrels and sooty shearwaters being just a few of the creatures that might make an appearance, while lucky guests might see a penguin or two bobbing along the water as well.
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If fish are difficult to find and aren’t plentiful — if the food source shifts an extra 200 kilometers, say, and an adult petrel therefore has to fly 800 km for food — the journey takes longer, and will affect the chick’s growth.
—Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
Giant petrels and imperial cormorants come to nest, and sea lions and Magellanic penguins congregate.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
This 70-gram bird, often found in groups of 8 to 40, has been observed pecking at wounded animals, particularly seabirds like Galápagos petrels, to access their blood.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
If fish are difficult to find and aren’t plentiful — if the food source shifts an extra 200 kilometers, say, and an adult petrel therefore has to fly 800 km for food — the journey takes longer, and will affect the chick’s growth.
—Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
Giant petrels and imperial cormorants come to nest, and sea lions and Magellanic penguins congregate.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025
This 70-gram bird, often found in groups of 8 to 40, has been observed pecking at wounded animals, particularly seabirds like Galápagos petrels, to access their blood.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petrel
Cite this Entry
“Petrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petrel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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