lapel

noun

la·​pel lə-ˈpel How to pronounce lapel (audio)
: the part of a garment that is turned back
specifically : the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a continuation of the collar
lapelled adjective
or lapeled

Examples of lapel in a Sentence

He wore a carnation in his lapel.
Recent Examples on the Web Israel-Hamas war protesters, attendees with red lapel pins make their statements at the Academy Awards Just as the Oscars red carpet was opening, protesters rallied for a Gaza cease-fire and snarled traffic near the Dolby Theatre, site of the Academy Awards. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 The president — who was sporting a flag pin on his lapel featuring the American and Ukrainian flags in the midst of a fight in Congress over further funding for the war in Ukraine — also sat on the couch with Poehler to reminisce about his guest spot on Parks and Recreation. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024 For his trip to the award show, Gosling wore a baby blue Gucci suit with white trim around the lapel. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Moments later, an officer grabs him by the lapel of his yellow jacket and shoves him into a doorway. Jake Offenhartz The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 10 Feb. 2024 Perhaps a Tiffany & Co. pin—à la Jeremy Allen White—on the lapel of his suiting on the Masters of the Air press tour? Alice Newbold, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2024 Whitmer herself wore a Lions pin on the right lapel of her blue blazer and said the team's spirit embodies the state. Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024 Twelve jurors and four alternates appeared riveted Thursday by the scenes captured by LeFleur’s lapel camera video, which played on monitors positioned throughout the courtroom — despite several technical glitches that at times interrupted the video. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 The pair wore coordinating mother-daughter ensembles: Applegate chose a floor-length velvet tuxedo dress with oversized lapels, while her daughter opted for a classic black double-breasted suit. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lapel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

diminutive of lap entry 1

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lapel was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near lapel

Cite this Entry

“Lapel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lapel

noun
la·​pel lə-ˈpel How to pronounce lapel (audio)
: the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a part of the collar

More from Merriam-Webster on lapel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!