Definition of: laureate

(lô′rē·it) adjective
1. Crowned or decked with laurel, as a mark of distinction or honor.
2. Deserving of distinction; preeminent, especially as a poet; also, relating to or distinctive of poets.
3. Made of laurel or in imitation of laurel.
—noun
1. In England, the poet officially invested with the title of poet laureate by the crown.
2. In former times, a poet publicly crowned with laurel in recognition of his merit. See under POET.
—v.t. (-rē·āt) ·at·ed, ·at·ing
1. To crown with a laurel wreath.
2. To make poet laureate. [<L laureatus crowned with laurel <laurea a laurel tree or crown, orig. fem. of laureus made of laurel <laurus laurel]
—lau′re·ate·ship′ noun
—lau′re·a′tion noun