laurel

1 of 2

noun

lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl 

ˈlär-

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

Illustration of laurel

• laurel 1

laurel

2 of 2

verb

laureled or laurelled; laureling or laurelling

transitive verb

: to deck or crown with laurel

Synonyms

Noun

• accolade
• glory
• applause
• acclaim
• honor
• credit

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

Noun

Instead of taking a break in 2025 and resting on her laurels following the Short n’ Sweet success, Carpenter has come roaring back with a new hit for the summer, a new album for the fall and (hopefully) plenty of follow-up singles to take her into 2026. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 June 2025

But just because the Giants are doing better than anyone should have reasonably expected doesn’t mean that this is the time to rest on the team’s laurels. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

Marine biologist Sylvia Earle could easily rest on her laurels. —Simmone Shah, Time, 5 June 2025

Squibb has no plans to rest on her laurels, or retire for that matter. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1631, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing laurel

• California laurel
• great laurel
• mountain laurel
• sheep laurel
• spurge laurel

Rhymes for laurel

• aural
• chloral
• choral
• coral
• floral
• forel
• lauryl
• loral
• moral
• quarrel
• sorel
• sorrel

Kids Definition

laurel

noun

lau·​rel

ˈlȯr-əl,

ˈlär-

1

: an evergreen shrub or tree of southern Europe related to the sassafras and cinnamon with shiny pointed leaves used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in various contests

2

: a tree or shrub (as a mountain laurel) that resembles the true laurel

3

a

: a crown of laurel

b

: honor entry 1 sense 1, fame

—usually used in plural

Biographical Definition

Laurel

biographical name

Lau·​rel ˈlȯr-əl 

ˈlär-

Stan 1890–1965 born Arthur Stanley Jefferson British comic actor in U.S.