wreath

[reeth]

noun

plural

wreaths 

1. a circular band of flowers, foliage, or any ornamental work, for adorning the head or for any decorative purpose; a garland or chaplet.

2. any ringlike, curving, or curling mass or formation.

   a wreath of clouds.

3. (in stair building)

   1. a curved section of a handrail.

   2. Also called wreathpiece. a curved section of a string.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to wreathe.

wreath

/ riːθ /

noun

1. a band of flowers or foliage intertwined into a ring, usually placed on a grave as a memorial or worn on the head as a garland or a mark of honour

2. any circular or spiral band or formation

3. a spiral or circular defect appearing in porcelain and glassware

Other Word Forms

• wreathlike adjective
• wreathless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

before 1000; Middle English wrethe, Old English writha something wound or coiled; akin to writhe

Word History and Origins

Origin of wreath¹

Old English wrǣth, wrǣd; related to Middle Low German wrēden to twist. See _writhe

Example Sentences

Their Ghostly Postal sheets had been draped and knotted into togas, and there were wreaths of greenery circled ’round their heads.

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The man was involved in the wreath laying in Llandudno, Conwy county, on Sunday, and saluted the war memorial before marching away with a colleague.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is also set to donate wreaths made by their ambassadors and schoolchildren.

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King Charles led the annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations, laying a wreath at the solemn ceremony held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London.

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Belfast's ceremony began with a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT and Belfast Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly laid a wreath on behalf of the city' citizens.

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Related Words

• bouquet 
• garland