mountain laurel


noun
  1. a North American laurel, Kalmia latifolia, having terminal clusters of rose to white flowers: the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Origin of mountain laurel

1
An Americanism dating back to 1750–60

Words Nearby mountain laurel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mountain laurel in a sentence

  • On its high bank the ghost-like glory of a mountain laurel overhung the dark water.

    Wild Folk | Samuel Scoville
  • The balmy scent of pines and the mountain laurel hung heavily in the air.

  • You know that place the other side of the Mall—that ragged hill covered with rocks and trees and mountain laurel?

    The Foolish Virgin | Thomas Dixon
  • A bunch of mountain laurel glorified an old soup can and made a beautiful centre piece.

    The Carter Girls | Nell Speed
  • The mountain-laurel welcomes the twilight moth with an impulsive multiple embrace.

    My Studio Neighbors | William Hamilton Gibson

British Dictionary definitions for mountain laurel

mountain laurel

noun
  1. any of various ericaceous shrubs or trees of the genus Kalmia, esp K. latifolia of E North America, which has leathery poisonous leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers: Also called: calico bush

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012