albatross
Americannoun
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any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods.
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a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility.
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something burdensome that impedes action or progress.
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Textiles.
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a lightweight worsted fabric with a crepe or pebble finish.
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a plain-weave cotton fabric with a soft nap surface.
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noun
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any large oceanic bird of the genera Diomedea and Phoebetria, family Diomedeidae, of cool southern oceans: order Procellariiformes (petrels). They have long narrow wings and are noted for a powerful gliding flight See also wandering albatross
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a constant and inescapable burden or handicap
an albatross of debt
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golf a score of three strokes under par for a hole
Etymology
Origin of albatross
1675–85; variant of algatross frigate bird < Portuguese alcatraz pelican, probably < Arabic al-ghaṭṭāṣ a kind of sea eagle, literally, the diver; -b- for -g- perhaps by association with Latin albus white (the bird's color)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One of the 21st century’s hottest sectors has become a market albatross.
It must be a Laysan albatross or another more common bird.
From Literature
The latest one is Hernandez, who’s running for a second term against a slew of opponents trying to hang MacArthur Park like an albatross around the neck of the 35-year-old politician.
From Los Angeles Times
The ship is blown by a storm to the South Pole where it is followed by an albatross, believed to bring good luck.
Six months to a year from now, Absolute Resolve could be forgotten in the rush of greater events, look like one of America’s greatest foreign-policy successes, or become an albatross around the administration’s neck.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
