napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

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

: sanitary napkin

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These napkins, printed with the Galentine's Day Gang, come in a pack of 50. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025

Genta designed the Nautilus on a napkin before allegedly proposing it to Piaget, who rejected it and have been regretting the decision ever since. —Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

On Ryan’s coffee table are cocktail napkins from ZZ’s, the private club in Hudson Yards. —Bridget Read, Curbed, 15 Jan. 2025

Console organizers can help contain wipes, napkins, phone chargers, and more. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing napkin

• sanitary napkin

Kids Definition

napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

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 

1

chiefly British : diaper

2

: sanitary napkin