laurel

1 of 2

noun

lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl 

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

• laurel 1

laurel

2 of 2

verb

laureled or laurelled; laureling or laurelling

transitive verb

: to deck or crown with laurel

Synonyms

Noun

• acclaim
• accolade
• applause
• bay(s)
• credit
• distinction
• glory
• homage
• honor
• kudos
• laud
• props [slang]
• réclame
• sun

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

Noun

Wynn isn't resting on its laurels and in August bought 70 acres of additional land on Al Marjan Island for future development. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Of course, there’s no such thing as laurel resting in Johnson’s makeup. —Nancy Kruh, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

In this instance, a more deliberate examination of all of the women only reveals that the more seasoned ladies (and OGs especially) have gotten a bit too comfortable resting on their laurels, and the disruption brought about by the newcomers is activating their worst mean girl traits. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024

Our target is to have films that, in two or three years, will screen around the world with laurels that say El Gouna supported the project. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing laurel

• California laurel
• great laurel
• mountain laurel
• sheep laurel
• spurge laurel

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 

ˈlär-

Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in U.S.