napkin

noun

nap·kin ˈnap-kən

Synonyms of napkin

: a piece of material (such as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes

: a small cloth or towel: such as

dialectal British : handkerchief

chiefly Scotland : kerchief

chiefly British : diaper sense 1

: sanitary napkin

Examples of napkin 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.

That means my greasy microfiber cloths do get washed with my cotton drying towels, along with oven mitts, linen napkins, and the seat pads for my counter stools (my kids somehow manage to trash them every week). — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 Others may require you to do a little back-of-the-napkin math, says Jon Lapp, a CFP with Haven Financial Advisors. — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 While formal entertaining is less common today, finding napkin rings, butter pats, and sterling silver tableware is a true treasure. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026 Spot treating fresh stains with a cloth or napkin dampened with plain water can often get rid of the problem. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for napkin

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nappekin, from nape tablecloth, from Anglo-French, from Latin mappa napkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of napkin was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Napkin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/napkin. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

napkin

noun

nap·kin ˈnap-kən

: a small square of cloth or paper used during a meal to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes

: a small cloth or towel

Etymology

Middle English nappekin "napkin," from nappe "tablecloth," derived from Latin mappa "napkin" — related to apron, map

Medical Definition

napkin

noun

nap·kin ˈnap-kən

chiefly British : diaper

: sanitary napkin

napkin

noun

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Word History

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Medical Definition

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napkin

noun

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing napkin

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to napkin

8 Words for Setting the Table

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on napkin

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