laminate

1 of 4

verb

lam·​i·​nate ˈla-mə-ˌnāt 

laminated; laminating

transitive verb

1

: to roll or compress into a thin plate

2

: to separate into laminae

3

a

: to make (something, such as a windshield) by uniting superposed layers of one or more materials

b

: to unite (layers of material) by an adhesive or other means

intransitive verb

: to divide into laminae

laminator

ˈla-mə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

laminate

2 of 4

adjective

lam·​i·​nate ˈla-mə-nət  -ˌnāt 

1

: consisting of laminae

2

: bearing or covered with laminae

laminate

3 of 4

noun (1)

lam·​i·​nate ˈla-mə-nət  -ˌnāt 

: a product made by laminating

laminator

4 of 4

noun (2)

lam·​i·​na·​tor ˈlaməˌnātə(r) 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that laminates

especially : one that makes a laminated plastic

Examples of laminate in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The kitchen counters are made of plastic laminate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Food enthusiasts learn the art of Mexican cooking from Oaxaca’s rich moles to Yucatán’s smoky spices, with additional classes on more general fundamentals like laminating pastry dough. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026

The school also runs more general technique classes — laminating pastry dough, for instance — alongside its regional Mexican focus. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026

Adjective

The usual culprits, like popcorn ceilings or laminate floors, are easy to spot. —Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026

The decals can be used to not only cover tile and laminate flooring, but also as backsplashes. —Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026

Noun

Vinyl and laminate floors are more budget-friendly, easier to install, and sturdy enough to handle lots of traffic. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

Turning kitchens all white, adding high-end marble flooring, adding a walk-in closet by sacrificing a bedroom, turning a garage into a bedroom, installing laminate countertops, high-end fixtures, installing a metal roof, and any sort of poorly done DIY rounded out the list. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1665, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

laminate

verb

lam·​i·​nate

ˈlam-ə-ˌnāt

laminated; laminating

1

: to roll or compress into a thin plate

2

: to make by uniting layers of one or more materials

laminate

-nət, 

-ˌnāt

noun

lamination

ˌlam-ə-ˈnā-shən

noun

laminator

ˈlam-ə-ˌnāt-ər

noun