: 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
For more than two years, Israelis pinned yellow ribbons to their lapels and gathered to remember the hostages abducted during the deadliest day in the country’s history.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The look featured long sleeves and sharp lapels with an exaggerated collar.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026
As Knutson watched, an ICE agent took the rose, put it in his lapel, and then mockingly gave it to a female ICE agent.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
The female moth lays eggs on the garment, and the larvae start feeding on the material, especially in hidden places such as under collars, lapels, or in pockets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapel
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Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The look featured long sleeves and sharp lapels with an exaggerated collar.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026
As Knutson watched, an ICE agent took the rose, put it in his lapel, and then mockingly gave it to a female ICE agent.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
The female moth lays eggs on the garment, and the larvae start feeding on the material, especially in hidden places such as under collars, lapels, or in pockets.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapel
Cite this Entry
“Lapel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lapel. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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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