laureate

1 of 3

noun

lau·​re·​ate ˈlȯr-ē-ət How to pronounce laureate (audio)
ˈlär-
: the recipient of honor or recognition for achievement in an art or science
a Nobel laureate
specifically : poet laureate
laureateship noun

laureate

2 of 3

verb

lau·​re·​ate ˈlȯr-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce laureate (audio)
ˈlär-
laureated; laureating

transitive verb

1
: to crown with or as if with a laurel wreath for excellence or achievement
2
: to appoint to the office of poet laureate
laureation noun

laureate

3 of 3

adjective

lau·​re·​ate ˈlȯr-ē-ət How to pronounce laureate (audio)
ˈlär-
1
: honored for outstanding achievement in an art or science
This was a term coined in the 1950s by Nobel laureate chemist Irving Langmuir …Gary Taubes
see also poet laureate
2
: crowned with laurel
Minted in France in 1807, the front of the medal shows the laureate head of Emperor Napoleon and, on the reverse, an eagle clutching a thunderbolt, part of the emperor's imperial seal.Brice Stump

Examples of laureate in a Sentence

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
Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek first proposed the concept of a time crystal in 2012. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025 Among them were future Nobel laureates, polar explorers and innovators who pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Natalie Silverman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The main competition jury, led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne, will anoint the next Golden Lion laureate while handing out prizes for acting, directing, screenwriting and more. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025 For more than six decades, the Dalai Lama—a charismatic and widely revered Nobel laureate—has unified the Tibetan exile community and boosted the Tibetan cause around the world. Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for laureate

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, crowned with laurel as a distinction, from Latin laureatus, from laurea laurel wreath, from feminine of laureus of laurel, from laurus

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1529, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of laureate was in 1508

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Cite this Entry

“Laureate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laureate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

laureate

noun
lau·​re·​ate
ˈlȯr-ē-ət,
ˈlär-
: a person honored for achievement in an art or science
especially : poet laureate
laureate adjective

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