laurel

1 of 2

noun

lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl How to pronounce laurel (audio)
ˈlär-
Synonyms of laurel
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 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

Synonyms of laurel

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Noun

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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.
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Noun
Here the part of Mark Antony was played by a European journalist, who with the session’s first question attempted to crown Malkovich with an Oscar winner’s laurels six months ahead of schedule. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 Grady Tripp is a writer and professor who has rested on the laurels of his first book for years and can’t seem to seal the deal of his sophomore novel, which is nearing 2800 words. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Cusk, a Canadian-Brit educated at Oxford, has long been laurelled and condemned for her ruthless chronicles of selfhood. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing laurel

Rhymes for laurel

See All Rhymes for laurel

Browse Nearby Words

laureation
laurel
Laurel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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.

More from Merriam-Webster on laurel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about laurel

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