: 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
Examples of lapel in a Sentence
He wore a carnation in his lapel.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the image, Epstein stands next to Jackson, who's wearing a black blazer with a white flower on the lapel, his eyes obscured by dark glasses.
—
Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
The former model chose a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with satin lapels, a white shirt and a Ralph Lauren cummerbund for that occasion.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
The knee-length style features a notched lapel, handy side pockets, a single button-front closure, and an oversized fit that leaves room for chunky sweaters and hoodies underneath.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025
In 2015, Sellers famously shamed then-Mayor Michael Hancock when the city failed to buy a 60-year service lapel pin and instead gave her a 15-year pin as a placeholder.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapel
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Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
The former model chose a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo with satin lapels, a white shirt and a Ralph Lauren cummerbund for that occasion.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
The knee-length style features a notched lapel, handy side pockets, a single button-front closure, and an oversized fit that leaves room for chunky sweaters and hoodies underneath.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Dec. 2025
In 2015, Sellers famously shamed then-Mayor Michael Hancock when the city failed to buy a 60-year service lapel pin and instead gave her a 15-year pin as a placeholder.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapel
Cite this Entry
“Lapel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lapel
noun
la·pel
lə-ˈpel 
: the fold of the front of a coat that is usually a part of the collar
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