wreath

American  

[reeth] / riθ /

noun

• wreaths
  plural

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to wreathe.

wreath British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• wreathless
  adjective
• wreathlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• wreaths
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wreath

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

Explanation

Got a wreath on your front door? That's one of those ring-shaped bands of flowers or foliage that people use for decoration. Wreaths go back to ancient times and maybe the circular shape symbolizes the eternal. You can also wear a wreath. If you feel like dancing around the maypole or celebrating your Olympic victory, you might wear a wreath of spring flowers or laurels on your head. You might also want to remember someone who's passed away by placing a wreath on their grave. Wreaths don’t have to be green — you can carve gold or wood into a wreath or you can even have a mountain peak with a wreath of clouds around it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wreath wreaths

Laying a wreath at Dartmoor National Park, close to Widdecombe's home, Farage told reporters that she was a "remarkable individual" and "the fiercest defender of free speech".

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

He condemned "indifference" towards migrants and cast a wreath into the sea at the port of Arguineguin to honour the thousands who have died trying to reach the Canaries.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

His mother Helen passed away last month, with Anderson laying a wreath on the pitch before Forest's victory against Burnley in April.

From BBC ● May 10, 2026

Charles and Camilla then visited Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, where they laid a wreath and flowers at the hilltop Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honoring America's unidentified war dead.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

He took off his wreath of laurels and with a stiff, furious gesture, tossed it to Julius, who set it on his head.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks

A short prayer and a moment of silence will be held in the memorial garden, and King Charles and Prince William will lay wreaths.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

They laid wreaths to Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed in the war.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Branches were draped with colourful ribbons and ritual wreaths, while bonfires blazed high, ready for the military brotherhood to gather around them.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Her family can still live on her husband’s income as a traffic engineer, and Bigalk earns some money selling homemade wreaths at farmers markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

Little houses lined the roads, houses with painted shutters and wreaths on the doors.

From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• bouquet
• garland