Illustration of laurel
- laurel 1
1
: 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
called also bay, sweet bay
2
: a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel
especially
: mountain laurel
3
a
: a crown of laurel awarded as an honor
b
: a recognition of achievement : honor
—usually used in plural
laureled or laurelled; laureling or laurelling
: to deck or crown with laurel
Examples of laurel in a Sentence
Noun
They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory.
The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
Not one to rest on its laurels, The Vinoy continues to intentionally innovate while paying homage to and embracing its history.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer won big-time at the 96th Academy Awards, but don't expect the visionary filmmaker to rest on his laurels.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Despite his influence, Gueit isn’t resting on his laurels.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
Even value winners like Chili's and Darden won't be able to rest on their laurels in the new year.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 28 Dec. 2025
Not one to rest on its laurels, The Vinoy continues to intentionally innovate while paying homage to and embracing its history.
—Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer won big-time at the 96th Academy Awards, but don't expect the visionary filmmaker to rest on his laurels.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Dec. 2025
Despite his influence, Gueit isn’t resting on his laurels.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laurel
Cite this Entry
“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Laurel
biographical name
Lau·rel
ˈlȯr-əl 
ˈlär-
Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in U.S.
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