: 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.
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Noun
But don’t rest on your laurels.—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2025 The book has been collecting laurels from both the literati and the trades.—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025 Rather than sitting back on its laurels, the company put in the work to offer an upgrade literally nobody asked for!—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025 Nissan hasn’t been sitting on its laurels.—James Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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
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