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
Synonyms
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
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 8 May 2024
The distinction also marks a posthumous laurel for Nancy Ancrum, who capped a 40-year career at the Herald by serving as the Herald’s editorial page editor for a decade before retiring at the end of 2023.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 7 May 2024
To make the vessel, Roman shipbuilders used pine, as well as a selection of harder woods, including cypress, olive and bay laurel.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
Because while the City of Light may be known as the cradle of fashion, culture, and gastronomy, not too long ago it was also regularly accused of slipping into a lazy, even smug, complacency—stuck in its ways, resting on the laurels of its storied past.
—Vivian Song, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Relationships are a harmonious affair as the moon and Jupiter auspiciously connect, but don't just rest on your laurels.
—USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
But Orkin, who is professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, isn’t resting on his laurels.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
But as Maurice is quick to point out, his team can’t — and won’t — rest on its laurels from last season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
The team determined that the head, complete with a crown of laurels, dates to the second or early third century C.E.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
Not resting on those laurels, though, Oakland County leaders used part of Wednesday's presentation to unveil their latest boost to small- to medium-size manufacturers.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 8 May 2024
The distinction also marks a posthumous laurel for Nancy Ancrum, who capped a 40-year career at the Herald by serving as the Herald’s editorial page editor for a decade before retiring at the end of 2023.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 7 May 2024
To make the vessel, Roman shipbuilders used pine, as well as a selection of harder woods, including cypress, olive and bay laurel.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
Because while the City of Light may be known as the cradle of fashion, culture, and gastronomy, not too long ago it was also regularly accused of slipping into a lazy, even smug, complacency—stuck in its ways, resting on the laurels of its storied past.
—Vivian Song, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Relationships are a harmonious affair as the moon and Jupiter auspiciously connect, but don't just rest on your laurels.
—USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
But Orkin, who is professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, isn’t resting on his laurels.
—TIME, 2 May 2024
But as Maurice is quick to point out, his team can’t — and won’t — rest on its laurels from last season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
The team determined that the head, complete with a crown of laurels, dates to the second or early third century C.E.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'laurel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near laurel
Cite this Entry
“Laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laurel. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
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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