laurel

noun lau·rel \ ˈlȯr-əl , ˈlär- \

Definition of laurel

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

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Examples of laurel in a Sentence

They enjoyed the laurels of their military victory.
The player earned his laurels from years of hard work.

Recent Examples of laurel from the Web

That longevity, and his sheer body of work in films and television, are starkly at odds with his small list of laurels.

— neil genzlinger, New York Times, "For Jerry Lewis, Few Statuettes but Lots of Influence," 20 Aug. 2017
The figure at the top of the monument is a woman extending a laurel wreath toward the South.

— bonnie berkowitz, Washington Post, "Can you guess where these Confederate monuments were built?," 18 Aug. 2017
But Beatty wouldn’t allow his players or staff to rest on their laurels or become fat cats during the off-season. Instead of three days of running and weightlifting per week, the Shamrocks added two more days of running per week this off-season.

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Trinity High School football coach looks to cut the fat, add another state title," 11 Aug. 2017
But as those trails twist past old stone walls and patches of mountain laurel, visitors reach a huge clearing.

— peter marteka, courant.com, "A Texas Cattle Ranch Connection In The Wilds Of Montville," 11 Aug. 2017
The moment when all the smiles died, when Prince Rhaegar Targaryen urged his horse past his own wife, the Dornish princess Elia Martell, to lay the queen of beauty’s laurel in Lyanna’s lap.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Did Kit Harington Just Confirm This Popular 'Game of Thrones' Jon and Daenerys Theory?," 31 July 2017
But that doesn’t mean the giant retailer can sit on its laurels.

— alan murray, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Thursday, 20th July," 20 July 2017
A.O.C. Beverly Grove, $$ Unforced and driven by culinary excellence, A.O.C. is anchored by a courtyard with soft sunlight and laurel trees.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
The female redbay ambrosia could be deadly for avocado trees and other laurel species plants if left unchecked.

— willie james inman, Fox News, "Beetle threatens Florida avocado industry," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'laurel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of laurel

Origin and Etymology of laurel

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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