: an evergreen shrub or tree (Laurus nobilis of the family Lauraceae, the laurel family) of southern Europe with small yellow flowers, fruits that are ovoid blackish berries, and evergreen foliage once used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games
Noun
They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory.
The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.
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Noun
The matching sheet set is available in complementary colors, including blue infinity, blue shale, white, cream, laurel green, cinder, gray mist, and stone gray.—Terri Williams, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Then a massive laurel oak — more than a hundred years old — in their front yard toppled onto the roof of their home off Markham Woods Drive and punched a hole through the roof, sending a branch into their kitchen.—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025 Filmmakers will also receive a digital package with screening laurels — logos celebrating a film’s festival program selection.—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025 All these laurels have turned the family film into a point of pride in China at a time when President Donald Trump is imposing new tariffs on the country.—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laurel
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English lorel, in part from Medieval Latin laureola spurge laurel (from Latin, laurel sprig), in part modification of Anglo-French lorer, from Old French lor laurel, from Latin laurus
: an evergreen shrub or tree of southern Europe related to the sassafras and cinnamon with shiny pointed leaves used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in various contests
2
: a tree or shrub (as a mountain laurel) that resembles the true laurel
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