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
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
McCartney has never seemed entirely comfortable resting on the laurels of the legacy cemented in his first ten years as a professional musician.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
No one gets to rest on their laurels, and so the standards—whether of cheese, wine, or luxury hotels—are raised ever higher, most often to the benefit of travelers.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Rather than using insecticidal sprays in the garden, use plants like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and bay laurel that repel insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
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Noun
Just be sure to avoid planting the spurge-laurel variety, which is an invasive plant.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
McCartney has never seemed entirely comfortable resting on the laurels of the legacy cemented in his first ten years as a professional musician.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
No one gets to rest on their laurels, and so the standards—whether of cheese, wine, or luxury hotels—are raised ever higher, most often to the benefit of travelers.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Rather than using insecticidal sprays in the garden, use plants like marigolds, lavender, rosemary, and bay laurel that repel insects.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for laurel
Cite this Entry
“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 8 Jun. 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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