albatross

American  

[al-buh-traws, -tros] / ˈæl bəˌtrɔs, -ˌtrɒs /

noun

1. any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods.

2. a seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility.

3. something burdensome that impedes action or progress.

4. Textiles.

   1. a lightweight worsted fabric with a crepe or pebble finish.

   2. a plain-weave cotton fabric with a soft nap surface.

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albatross British  

/ ˈælbəˌtrɒs /

noun

1. 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

2. a constant and inescapable burden or handicap

   an albatross of debt

3. golf a score of three strokes under par for a hole

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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)

Explanation

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's an albatross — in which case it's somewhere between the first two. An albatross is one of the largest flying birds in the world. The word albatross comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word alcatraz meaning "pelican," but it's not just animals that this word describes. Think of the huge white prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco that hindered its inmates from going anywhere, reminding them daily of the guilt and burden of their crime — all feelings that are meant to be conjured by something that's an albatross in a person's life.

Example Sentences

One of the 21st century’s hottest sectors has become a market albatross.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The ship is blown by a storm to the South Pole where it is followed by an albatross, believed to bring good luck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

But now that guarantee is an albatross, with AI skeptics worried OpenAI won’t be able to pay.

From Barron's • Dec. 13, 2025

He likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic criminal liar".

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

An albatross would have been a much better choice.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

Related Words

• millstone