napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

1

: a piece of material (such as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes

2

: a small cloth or towel: such as

a

dialectal British : handkerchief

b

chiefly Scotland : kerchief

c

chiefly British : diaper sense 3

3

: sanitary napkin

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this year, for example, a napkin outlining his first FC Barcelona contract was expected to fetch more than $380,000. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2024

Her ultimate redemption is the memoir itself — proof that the story of her life is good and big enough to belong in a book, not on a cocktail napkin. —Amanda Hess, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

The concerned little one then runs to grab a napkin, though Schroeder seems confused. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024

While staying at Iris’s home, Amanda falls for Iris’s widowed brother Graham (Law), who occasionally entertains his kids by putting a napkin on his head—hence the name ‘Mr. Napkin Head’. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nappekin, from nape tablecloth, from Anglo-French, from Latin mappa napkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing napkin

• sanitary napkin

Kids Definition

napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

1

: a small square of cloth or paper used during a meal to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes

2

: a small cloth or towel

Etymology

Middle English nappekin "napkin," from nappe "tablecloth," derived from Latin mappa "napkin" — related to apron, map

Medical Definition

napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

1

chiefly British : diaper

2

: sanitary napkin