SAT vocab: What does “albatross” mean?
Definition: Something that makes it hard to succeed or progress, especially something persistent or difficult to rid oneself of (Ex: alcoholism can be a great albatross for many). A type of large seabird.
Part of Speech: noun
Pronunciations: AL-buh-tross
or, if you prefer the IPA: /ˈæl.bə.trɔs/
Example: The inefficient and often failing systems of health care, prisons, and education in the United States are proving to be political albatrosses for those who campaign on their ability to fix those systems.