: 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
Noun
They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory.
The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.
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.
Noun
Riding on the laurels of military success in Iran, Netanyahu and Trump envision themselves as guardians of the free world.—Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, Time, 7 July 2025 The bay laurels, in fact, are making a major comeback after the 2021 freeze.—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 In times of change, Wertheimer argues, there are no laurels to rest on.—John Werner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Yet while the bay laurel comes from the Mediterranean, allspice is endemic to Jamaica.—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for laurel
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English lorel, in part from Medieval Latin laureola spurge laurel (from Latin, laurel sprig), in part modification of Anglo-French lorer, from Old French lor laurel, from Latin laurus
: an evergreen shrub or tree of southern Europe related to the sassafras and cinnamon with shiny pointed leaves used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in various contests
2
: a tree or shrub (as a mountain laurel) that resembles the true laurel
Share