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
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.
On a rainy day in March 1983, Elizabeth had the Cullinan V brooch on her lapel when arrived in Santa Barbara—not too far from where her grandson, Prince Harry, currently resides. Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026 Thirty years ago, Prince William's mother wore a navy skirt suit with white lapels, cuffs and belt to present new colours to the Light Dragoon Guards Regiment in Bergen-Hohne, Germany, in July 1995. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 And yet, on Saturday night, a patchwork of agents, officers and security personnel from more than a dozen agencies – many identifiable only by the different pins on their lapels – moved in coordination to evacuate guests and bring the suspect down. Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 Yes, that was CSPAN boss Sam Feist making the rounds at the CAA party with two pins promoting his network on his lapel. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lapel

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lapel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapel. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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

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