wreath

American  

[reeth] / riθ /

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.

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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

• wreathless adjective
• wreathlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of wreath

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

Example Sentences

When nationally prominent figures die, members of China’s top leadership and retired party grandees send wreaths and, in certain cases, personally attend the funerals.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Berlin T-Shirt shows a male figure wearing a laurel wreath.

From BBC

Truman, to the surprise of his hosts, placed a wreath on the monument.

From Los Angeles Times

The central staircase, marble with brass banisters, decorated with fresh flowers in summer and wreaths in winter, was missing treads.

From Literature

"Thank you for your compassion and love towards everyone you cared for," read one placard, balanced among bouquets, wreaths and other tributes.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bouquet
• garland