: 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
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
But this storied metropolis doesn't rest on its laurels.—Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024 In 2024, not even an 11-term incumbent Republican congressman in a deep-red district can rest on his laurels.—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 17 June 2024 Sajak isn’t planning to rest on his laurels now that his decades-long gig is over.—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 June 2024 Jackson is too clear-eyed about the precarious state of theater and the even more perilous state of the world to rest on his laurels.—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for laurel
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.
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
: 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
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