Illustration of laurel
- laurel 1
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
laureled or laurelled; laureling or laurelling
: 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
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
But with the series mothballed for more than a year prior to being officially axed, Meloni has not been resting on his laurels.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 June 2026
Bay laurel is mostly known for being the source of bay leaves – one of the most popular herbs for cooking.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Rather than using insecticidal sprays in the garden, use plants like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and bay laurel that repel insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
Still, Miral isn’t resting on its laurels.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
But with the series mothballed for more than a year prior to being officially axed, Meloni has not been resting on his laurels.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 June 2026
Bay laurel is mostly known for being the source of bay leaves – one of the most popular herbs for cooking.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026
Rather than using insecticidal sprays in the garden, use plants like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and bay laurel that repel insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
Cite this Entry
“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Laurel
biographical name
Lau·rel
ˈlȯr-əl 
ˈlär-
Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in U.S.
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