laurel

1 of 2

noun

lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl How to pronounce laurel (audio)
ˈlär-
1
: 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

called also bay, sweet bay

2
: a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel
especially : mountain laurel
3
a
: a crown of laurel awarded as an honor
b
: a recognition of achievement : honor
usually used in plural

Illustration of laurel

Illustration of laurel
  • laurel 1

laurel

2 of 2

verb

laureled or laurelled; laureling or laurelling

transitive verb

: to deck or crown with laurel

Examples of laurel in a Sentence

Noun They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory. The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.
Recent Examples on the Web
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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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of laurel was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

laurel

noun
lau·​rel
ˈlȯr-əl,
ˈlär-
1
: 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
3
a
: a crown of laurel
b
: honor entry 1 sense 1, fame
usually used in plural

Biographical Definition

Laurel

biographical name

Lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl How to pronounce Laurel (audio)
ˈlär-
Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in U.S.

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