albatross
noun
al·ba·tross
| \ ˈal-bə-ˌtrȯs
, -ˌträs\
, -ˌträs\
plural albatross
or albatrosses
Definition of albatross
1
: any of a family (Diomedeidae) of large web-footed seabirds that have long slender wings, are excellent gliders, and include the largest seabirds
2a
: something that causes persistent deep concern or anxiety
b
: something that greatly hinders accomplishment : encumbrance
Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life.
3
golf, chiefly British
: a score of three under par made on a hole : double eagle
The first play-off at Augusta followed the most famous single stroke in Masters history, Sarazen's albatross, or double eagle as the Americans prefer to describe such accidents of fortune, at the 15th.— P. A. Ward-Thomas
Illustration of albatross
albatross 1
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Examples of albatross in a Sentence
Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal and happy life.
Fame has become an albatross around her neck.
Recent Examples on the Web
One albatross, however, remains despite back-to-back bowl appearances and the program’s first conference title and bowl victory: Week 2. — Evan Dudley, al, "Can UAB finally avoid Week 2 letdown?," 3 Sep. 2019 Even before the El Paso massacre, Trump had been an albatross for Texas Republicans. — Bob Moser, The New Republic, "Texas Is Bracing for a Blue Wave in 2020. Yes, Texas.," 12 Aug. 2019 But her past as an adult film performer has been an albatross around her neck. — Alex Horton, Washington Post, "Mia Khalifa is among the world’s most-watched women. Yet the porn industry is keeping the profits.," 16 Aug. 2019 In the end, Howard did them a favor by saddling Houston with his albatross contract rather than the Lakers. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Dwight Howard isn’t the villain that Lakers fans make him out to be," 19 Aug. 2019 It is estimated that the odds of an albatross are 6 million to 1, about the same as dying from a bee sting and and less likely to happen than being killed by a shark. — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Albatross! Butler grad makes par 4 hole-in-one at Indy golf course," 16 Aug. 2019 What Cooley had envisioned as freeing had become an albatross during a period when the women’s liberation movement and Title IX were germinating. — Britni De La Cretaz, Longreads, "Flagrant Foul: Benching Teen Moms Before Title IX," 14 Aug. 2019 And more than 30% of female albatross in a Hawaiian colony bonded for life, sharing chick-rearing duties, researchers wrote. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "A gay penguin couple adopted an egg in a Berlin zoo," 13 Aug. 2019 Trump, unpopular with most Dallas County voters, is running for reelection next year and could provide coattails or an albatross for down-ballot candidates. — Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, "Retired Navy Seal, Republican Floyd McLendon challenging Democrat Colin Allred for Congress," 29 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'albatross.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for albatross
albatross
noun
English Language Learners Definition of albatross
: a large white ocean bird that has very long wings
: a continuing problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do or achieve something
See the full definition for albatross in the English Language Learners Dictionary
albatross
noun
al·ba·tross
| \ ˈal-bə-ˌtrȯs
\
\
Kids Definition of albatross
: a very large seabird with webbed feet
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