First recorded in 1960–65.
Comes from petro-, a combining form meaning \"rock,\" and ichor, which in classical mythology means “ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods.”
Sign up for more Word of the Day!

\r\nEXAMPLES OF PETRICHOR\r\n

The desert landscape was quickly transformed as petrichor filled the air after a long-awaited rainstorm.
As the storm passed, leaving behind puddles and damp earth, the sweet petrichor lingered like a fond memory.

\r\nIt's National Poetry Month, and we’ve created a challenge that really is for everyone. Submit now!","audio":"https://static.sfdict.com/audio/NEW2016/petrichor_000.mp3","definitions":[{"partofspeech":"noun","data":"a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground."}],"examples":[],"imageUrl":"https://www.dictionary.com/e/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/petrichor_IG.png","accentColor":"#0063D7"}},"status":"succeeded"}},"meta":{"requestId":"ib2jCOjIB-MkUsYzME7pF","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}},{"type":"fetchWordsNearby/fulfilled","payload":{"data":{"before":[{"slug":"distain","entry":"distain"},{"slug":"distal","entry":"distal"},{"slug":"distance","entry":"distance"},{"slug":"distance-learner","entry":"distance learner"},{"slug":"distance-learning","entry":"distance learning"}],"after":[{"slug":"distance-modulus","entry":"distance modulus"},{"slug":"distance-race","entry":"distance race"},{"slug":"distance-runner","entry":"distance runner"},{"slug":"distance-university","entry":"distance university"},{"slug":"distant","entry":"distant"}]}},"meta":{"arg":{"word":"distance-medley"},"requestId":"mpYEIEyzdRpMy3TDvcSSm","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}},{"type":"luna/fetchExampleSentences/fulfilled","payload":{"data":{"tdb":[],"gbg":[]}},"meta":{"arg":{"word":"distance-medley"},"requestId":"Oe51ioiusn3QXY-8MEwwd","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}},{"type":"fetchDictionaryResults/fulfilled","payload":{"slugs":[{"entries":[{"__typename":"Entry","audioPronunciations":[],"confusableNotes":[],"genderNotes":[],"grammarNotes":[],"headword":{"displayForm":"distance medley","slug":"distance-medley"},"idioms":[],"orderKey":99999010,"ordinal":10,"origin":null,"partOfSpeechBlock":[{"definitions":[{"antonymsConnection":{"edges":[]},"definitionSetChunks":"[{\"type\": \"def\", \"children\": [{\"text\": \"a medley relay in which the first member of a team runs 440 yards (402 meters), the second runs 880 yards (805 meters), the third runs 1320 yards (1,207 meters), and the fourth runs 1760 yards (1,609 meters).\", \"type\": \"text\"}]}]","examples":[],"ordinal":1,"subdefinitions":[],"synonymsConnection":{"edges":[]}}],"inflectionSets":[],"labelSet":{"labelSetText":"Track."},"ordinal":1,"partOfSpeech":"noun"}],"pronunciationNotes":[],"pronunciationSet":null,"relatedFormSets":[],"sensitiveNotes":[],"spellingNotes":[],"synonymStudy":[],"usageAlerts":[],"usageNotes":[],"variants":[],"verbPhrases":[]}],"url":"distance-medley"}]},"meta":{"arg":{"slug":"distance-medley"},"requestId":"u2cMGDazxdI1lyUtwSRoG","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}},{"type":"fetchResultsData/fulfilled","payload":{"data":{"url":"distance-medley","displayForm":"distance medley","canonicalSlug":"distance-medley","content":[{"source":"luna","entries":[{"id":"u3bb48a285cbafaf0.-3bc55cee.14d9e63c14b.345c","type":"normal","entry":"distance medley","entrySyllabified":"distance medley","entryVariants":[],"homograph":null,"pronunciation":null,"predefinitionContent":"","posBlocks":[{"definitions":[{"order":1,"type":"simple","predefinitionContent":"","postdefinitionContent":"","definition":"a medley relay in which the first member of a team runs 440 yards (402 meters), the second runs 880 yards (805 meters), the third runs 1320 yards (1,207 meters), and the fourth runs 1760 yards (1,609 meters).","synonyms":"","antonyms":"","cites":[]}],"pos":"noun","posSupplementaryInfo":"Track."}],"origin":null,"originData":null,"supplementaryNotes":[],"variantForms":[],"variantSpellings":[],"referenceData":["Compare sprint medley. "],"relatedForms":[],"confusables":[]}]}],"nearbyWordOrdinal":44853,"index-rank-01":["distance medley"],"index-rank-02":[],"index-rank-03":[],"index-rank-04":["distance medley's","distance medleys","distance medleys'"],"index-rank-05":[],"index-rank-06":[],"index-rank-07":[],"index-rank-08":[],"index-rank-09":[],"index-rank-10":[],"index-rank-11":[],"index-rank-12":[],"index-rank-13":[],"index-rank-14":[],"index-rank-15":[],"complexityScore":0.3917833508829203,"gradeLevel":"middle_school","tunaSlug":null,"isFeaturedMetaSlug":false}},"meta":{"arg":{"word":"distance-medley"},"requestId":"hGrW4Xf9as6j_zIpaaSS6","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}},{"type":"fetchSpellSuggestions/fulfilled","payload":{"data":{"luna":[],"tuna":[],"lunaWithSlug":[],"tunaWithSlug":[]}},"meta":{"arg":{"word":"distance-medley"},"requestId":"f7dilr2h5Cnal64NHOdwN","requestStatus":"fulfilled"}}]},"actionData":null,"errors":null}

distance medley

noun

Word of the Day