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 This runner comes in five sizes and is shoppable as a matching cloth napkin set. Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2024 The napkin is picked up by a savvy venture capitalist. Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang, TIME, 22 May 2024 Jorge Mateo isn’t going anywhere — and Kyle Stowers might be back The offseason is time for wild dreams for fans, writing out lineups and 26-man rosters on coffee shop napkins. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2024 Here’s how people think great things happen in Silicon Valley: A bright-eyed startup founder sketches a groundbreaking idea on a napkin. Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang, TIME, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for napkin 

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 12 Jun. 2024.

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
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