napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən How to pronounce napkin (audio)
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

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Star reporters found that the front door was locked, the silverware was wrapped into neat napkins and workers in the restaurant next door had no clue law enforcement had been in the area. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2025 The city receives concept plans in various forms – some are closer to napkin sketches, while others look like full-on site development plans. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 29 July 2025 So, the pair began to scratch the idea on a napkin. Emma Moon, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2025 If you’re done with an hors d’oeuvre napkin, don’t leave it on a bookshelf. Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for napkin

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of napkin was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Napkin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/napkin. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

napkin

noun
nap·​kin ˈnap-kən How to pronounce napkin (audio)
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 How to pronounce napkin (audio)
1
chiefly British : diaper
2

More from Merriam-Webster on napkin

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