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
Max Bacall , Nikos Degruccio, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
When George Washington arrived in Philadelphia after his election as president in 1789, he was welcomed by an arch of laurels and evergreens.
—Tyler Green, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
But this time the laurels are settling on his writing.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
To that end, the actor has not been resting on his laurels.
—Max Bacall , Nikos Degruccio, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
When George Washington arrived in Philadelphia after his election as president in 1789, he was welcomed by an arch of laurels and evergreens.
—Tyler Green, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
But this time the laurels are settling on his writing.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 May 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 29 May. 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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