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
Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
Sean Payton had told the locker room as much, as Denver sat on its laurels despite being connected to several receivers in potential trades.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
For all of her success, Inouye-Perez is not one to rest on her laurels.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The concealer is not resting on the laurels of the Hydro Grip name.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
Although bay laurels only grow perennially in USDA zones 8 through 10, these plants thrive in roomy pots and can be cultivated indoors in cold locations.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026
Sean Payton had told the locker room as much, as Denver sat on its laurels despite being connected to several receivers in potential trades.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
For all of her success, Inouye-Perez is not one to rest on her laurels.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
The concealer is not resting on the laurels of the Hydro Grip name.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 26 Feb. 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 19 Mar. 2026.
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