napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən How to pronounce napkin (audio)
1
: a piece of material (such as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
2
: a small cloth or towel: such as
a
dialectal British : handkerchief
b
chiefly Scotland : kerchief
c
chiefly British : diaper sense 3
3

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Once the boy returns, Gómez hands the children their paletas with a napkin wrapped snugly around the packaging. Camryn Brewer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023 Pick the second option, and be sure to ask for extra napkins. Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2023 On the back of a napkin, Lovelace sketched out a plan for how to turn his store into a secure firearms storage location for gun owners in crisis. John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2023 The napkins, explained Angus, were made from scraps and samples of the company’s linens — mostly in a ruby and dusty pink version of their Studio Stripe print. Lauren Joseph, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023 This year, The Garment presented their spring 2024 collection in a sculpture room at Copenhagen’s Thorvaldsen’s Museum, where the show opened with a white napkin top paired with a black midi skirt and closed with an all-white, one-shoulder ensemble. Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2023 From big-ticket items like dining chairs and credenzas to smaller design elements like stoneware, table runners, mats, and festive napkin rings, utilize autumn to curate a collection meaningful to you. Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023 Start with your supplies, listed below. SUPPLIES White linen napkin. Anna Logan, Country Living, 31 July 2023 Table settings reflect the best of Swedish design, including official embassy china with a crown motif, Orrefors crystal glassware and amber linen napkins. Jura Koncius, Washington Post, 27 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'napkin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nappekin, from nape tablecloth, from Anglo-French, from Latin mappa napkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of napkin was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near napkin

Cite this Entry

“Napkin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/napkin. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

napkin

noun
nap·​kin ˈnap-kən How to pronounce napkin (audio)
1
: a small square of cloth or paper used during a meal to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
2
: a small cloth or towel
Etymology

Middle English nappekin "napkin," from nappe "tablecloth," derived from Latin mappa "napkin" — related to apron, map

Medical Definition

napkin

noun
nap·​kin ˈnap-kən How to pronounce napkin (audio)
1
chiefly British : diaper
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!