napkin
noun
nap·kin ˈnap-kən 
1
: a piece of material (such as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
2
: a small cloth or towel: such as
a
dialectal British : handkerchief
b
chiefly Scotland : kerchief
c
chiefly British : diaper sense 3
3
: sanitary napkin
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Business plans can be one page or even written on a napkin. 
Expert Panel, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The race started as a dream put down on a paper napkin and has been running since 1999 outside of 2020's coronavirus pandemic pause. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2021 Genco, who wiped away stray tears with her napkin, felt nervous yet incredibly grateful ahead of the glowing presentation dedicated to her. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2022 My back-of-the-napkin estimate is that GERM would need about 3,000 full-time employees. Bill Gates, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 Simply tying a strip of colorful bandana around a flatware and a napkin adds instant flare to a table set for a 4th celebration! Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 6 June 2022 The way trauma spreads from shootings seems closer in nature to how stains form when a black marker presses against a white napkin. Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 25 May 2022 Paperboi glances at a napkin with the name of the club emblazoned in gold lettering: Cancel Club. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 6 May 2022 Take a moment to use your shirt collar as a napkin. The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 See More
Expert Panel, Forbes, 30 June 2022 The race started as a dream put down on a paper napkin and has been running since 1999 outside of 2020's coronavirus pandemic pause. Scott Springer, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2021 Genco, who wiped away stray tears with her napkin, felt nervous yet incredibly grateful ahead of the glowing presentation dedicated to her. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2022 My back-of-the-napkin estimate is that GERM would need about 3,000 full-time employees. Bill Gates, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 Simply tying a strip of colorful bandana around a flatware and a napkin adds instant flare to a table set for a 4th celebration! Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 6 June 2022 The way trauma spreads from shootings seems closer in nature to how stains form when a black marker presses against a white napkin. Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 25 May 2022 Paperboi glances at a napkin with the name of the club emblazoned in gold lettering: Cancel Club. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 6 May 2022 Take a moment to use your shirt collar as a napkin. The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing napkin
Kids Definition
napkin
noun
nap·kin ˈnap-kən
: a small piece of cloth or paper used when eating to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
Medical Definition
napkin
noun
nap·kin ˈnap-kən
1
chiefly British : diaper
2
: sanitary napkin
napkins
noun
as in towels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- towels
- serviettes
- tissues
- handkerchiefs
- handkerchieves
- hankies
- kerchiefs
- bandannas
- bandanas
- kerchieves
