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
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 July 2025
Having won the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first year in the Anfield dugout, there’s been little suggestion of the club resting on their laurels.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Despite celebrating the 40th anniversary of his Rockwell Group design firm last year, star architect and designer David Rockwell seems unwilling to rest on his laurels.
—Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Besides earning laurels for individual cows or producers, livestock farmers serve as representatives of their industry to fairgoers who stop by the barn.
—Ethan Wolin
july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
Courtland Sutton head-tap: The man certainly isn’t resting on his golden laurels.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 July 2025
Having won the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first year in the Anfield dugout, there’s been little suggestion of the club resting on their laurels.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 29 July 2025
Despite celebrating the 40th anniversary of his Rockwell Group design firm last year, star architect and designer David Rockwell seems unwilling to rest on his laurels.
—Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Besides earning laurels for individual cows or producers, livestock farmers serve as representatives of their industry to fairgoers who stop by the barn.
—Ethan Wolin
july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laurel
Cite this Entry
“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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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