bay leaf

noun

: the dried leaf of the European laurel (Laurus nobilis) used in cooking

Examples of bay leaf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For an aromatic variation, add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme, a bay leaf, black peppercorns, or crushed red pepper flakes before the pan goes into the oven (see Herby Garlic Confit). — Jeremy Fox, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 Cook with bay leaves for healthy cholesterol 🌱 Using bay leaves in your cooking might support healthy cholesterol levels, but the type of bay leaf matters. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 17 Aug. 2026 Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme, Creole seasoning, and pepper. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 July 2026 Citrus and dates apparently couldn’t compete with bay leaf-stracciatella ice cream. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bay leaf

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bay leaf was in the 15th century

Rhymes for bay leaf

See All Rhymes for bay leaf

Browse Nearby Words

Bayle
bay leaf
bay-leaf willow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bay leaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bay%20leaf. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bay leaf

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bay leaf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All