Laurel vs. Bay — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
Laurel refers to various plants in the Lauraceae family, often symbolizing honor, while bay specifically refers to the bay laurel, an aromatic herb used in cooking.
Difference Between Laurel and Bay
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Laurel generally refers to plants in the Lauraceae family, which includes various species. Historically, laurels symbolize honor and victory, often seen in wreaths worn by ancient Greeks and Romans. Bay, on the other hand, specifically refers to the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), a particular species in the laurel family known for its culinary uses. Bay leaves are commonly used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces.
Laurel encompasses a broader category of plants beyond the bay laurel, including species like mountain laurel and cherry laurel, which are not typically used in cooking. Bay laurel, specifically, is an evergreen shrub or tree whose leaves are harvested for culinary purposes due to their distinct aroma and flavor.
In terms of symbolism, laurel leaves have historically represented victory and honor, with laurel wreaths being awarded to victors in ancient times. Bay laurel retains some of this symbolic heritage but is more commonly recognized in modern times for its practical applications in the kitchen.
While laurel plants can be found in various regions and climates, bay laurel specifically thrives in Mediterranean climates. Its leaves are often dried and used as a spice in cooking, where they add a subtle, aromatic flavor to dishes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Plants in the Lauraceae family
Specifically the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
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Symbolism
Honor, victory
Culinary uses, also honor in history
Culinary Use
Generally not used
Leaves used to flavor dishes
Types
Includes various species
Specific species within laurel family
Habitat
Various climates
Mediterranean climates
Compare with Definitions
Laurel
Symbol of honor and victory.
Ancient Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to victors in games.
Bay
Specifically the bay laurel plant.
Bay laurel leaves are a staple in Mediterranean cooking.
Laurel
Evergreen trees or shrubs.
The mountain laurel is a common plant in the Appalachian Mountains.
Bay
An evergreen shrub or tree.
Bay laurel can grow up to 60 feet tall in ideal conditions.
Laurel
An evergreen tree (Laurus nobilis) of the Mediterranean region valued for its aromatic ovate leaves, used in cooking. Also called bay5, bay laurel, sweet bay.
Bay
Leaves used as a spice.
Dried bay leaves are commonly found in spice racks.
Laurel
A shrub or tree, such as the mountain laurel, having a similar aroma or leaf shape.
Bay
Thrives in Mediterranean climates.
Bay laurel prefers warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Laurel
A wreath of laurel conferred as a mark of honor in ancient times upon poets, heroes, and victors in athletic contests.
Bay
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or even another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight.
Laurel
Honor and glory won for great achievement.
Bay
A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea
The Bay of Biscay.
Laurel
To crown with laurel.
Bay
An area of land, such as an arm of prairie partially enclosed by woodland, that resembles in shape or formation a partially enclosed body of water.
Laurel
To honor, especially with an award or prize.
Bay
(Architecture) A part of a building marked off by vertical elements, such as columns or pilasters
An arcade divided into ten bays.
Laurel
, an evergreen shrub having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils.
Bay
A bay window.
Laurel
A crown of laurel.
Bay
An opening or recess in a wall.
Laurel
Honor, distinction, fame.
To win laurels; to crown with laurels
Bay
A section or compartment, as in a service station, barn, or aircraft, that is set off for a specific purpose
A cargo bay.
An engine bay.
Laurel
(botany) Any plant of the family Lauraceae.
Bay
A sickbay.
Laurel
(botany) Any of various plants of other families that resemble laurels.
Bay
(Computers) A drive bay.
Laurel
(historical) An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
Bay
A reddish brown.
Laurel
(transitive) To decorate with laurel, especially with a laurel wreath.
Bay
A reddish-brown animal, especially a horse having a black mane and tail.
Laurel
(transitive) To enwreathe.
Bay
A deep, prolonged bark, such as the sound made by hounds.
Laurel
To award top honours to.
Bay
The position of one cornered by pursuers and forced to turn and fight at close quarters
The hunters brought their quarry to bay.
Laurel
An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (Laurus nobilis), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape, with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their axils; - called also sweet bay.
Bay
The position of having been checked or held at a distance
"He has seen the nuclear threat held at bay for 40 years" (Earl W. Foell).
Laurel
A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; - especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
Bay
See laurel.
Laurel
An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
Bay
Any of certain other trees or shrubs with aromatic foliage, such as the California laurel.
Laurel
Any of various aromatic trees of the laurel family
Bay
A crown or wreath made especially of the leaves and branches of the laurel and given as a sign of honor or victory.
Laurel
United States slapstick comedian (born in England) who played the scatterbrained and often tearful member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made many films (1890-1965)
Bay
Often bays Honor; renown.
Laurel
Plants from the Lauraceae family.
Various laurels are grown as ornamental plants in gardens.
Bay
Reddish-brown
A bay colt.
Laurel
Not typically used in cooking.
Cherry laurel is poisonous and not used in culinary applications.
Bay
To utter a deep, prolonged bark.
Laurel
Includes multiple species.
Laurels can be found in diverse regions across the globe.
Bay
To pursue or challenge with barking
"I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon" (Shakespeare).
Bay
To express by barking or howling
A mob baying its fury.
Bay
To bring to bay
"too big for the dogs which tried to bay it" (William Faulkner).
Bay
(obsolete) A berry.
Bay
, a tree or shrub of the family Lauraceae, having dark green leaves and berries.
Bay
Bay leaf, the leaf of this or certain other species of tree or shrub, used as a herb.
Bay
The leaves of this shrub, woven into a garland used to reward a champion or victor; hence, fame, victory.
Bay
A tract covered with bay trees.
Bay
A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeche in Mexico.
Bay
(geography) A body of water (especially the sea) more-or-less three-quarters surrounded by land.
Bay
A bank or dam to keep back water.
Bay
An opening in a wall, especially between two columns.
Bay
An internal recess; a compartment or area surrounded on three sides.
Bay
The distance between two supports in a vault or building with a pitched roof.
Bay
(nautical) Each of the spaces, port and starboard, between decks, forward of the bitts, in sailing warships.
Bay
(rail transport) A bay platform.
Bay
A bay window.
Bay
The excited howling of dogs when hunting or being attacked.
Bay
(by extension) The climactic confrontation between hunting-dogs and their prey.
Bay
(figuratively) A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a difficulty, when escape has become impossible.
Bay
A brown colour/color of the coat of some horses.
Bay
A horse of this color.
Bay
(intransitive) To howl.
Bay
(transitive) To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay.
To bay the bear
Bay
(transitive) To pursue noisily, like a pack of hounds.
Bay
Of a reddish-brown colour (especially of horses).
Bay
Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; - applied to the color of horses.
Bay
An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character.
Bay
A small body of water set off from the main body; as a compartment containing water for a wheel; the portion of a canal just outside of the gates of a lock, etc.
Bay
A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.
Bay
A principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building, or of the whole building, as marked off by the buttresses, vaulting, mullions of a window, etc.; one of the main divisions of any structure, as the part of a bridge between two piers.
Bay
A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.
Bay
A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay.
Bay
A berry, particularly of the laurel.
Bay
The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Hence, in the plural, an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of branches of the laurel.
The patriot's honors and the poet's bays.
Bay
A tract covered with bay trees.
Bay
Deep-toned, prolonged barking.
Bay
A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a difficulty, when escape has become impossible.
Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay.
The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by incessant efforts.
Bay
A bank or dam to keep back water.
Bay
To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game.
The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed.
Bay
To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear.
Bay
To bathe.
Bay
To dam, as water; - with up or back.
Bay
An indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
Bay
The sound of a hound on the scent
Bay
Small Mediterranean evergreen tree with small blackish berries and glossy aromatic leaves used for flavoring in cooking; also used by ancient Greeks to crown victors
Bay
A compartment on a ship between decks; often used as a hospital;
They put him in the sick bay
Bay
A compartment in an aircraft used for some specific purpose;
He opened the bomb bay
Bay
A small recess opening off a larger room
Bay
A horse of a moderate reddish-brown color
Bay
Utter in deep prolonged tones
Bay
Bark with prolonged noises, of dogs
Bay
(used of animals especially a horse) of a moderate reddish-brown color
Bay
Used for culinary purposes.
Bay leaves are added to soups and stews for their aromatic flavor.
Common Curiosities
What is bay?
Bay specifically refers to the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic herb used in cooking.
What is laurel?
Laurel refers to various plants in the Lauraceae family, often symbolizing honor and victory.
What part of the bay laurel is used in cooking?
The leaves of the bay laurel are used in cooking.
What is the difference between bay and mountain laurel?
Bay laurel is used for culinary purposes, while mountain laurel is primarily ornamental and can be toxic.
What are bay leaves?
Bay leaves are the dried leaves of the bay laurel, used to flavor soups, stews, and sauces.
Are bay leaves used fresh or dried?
Bay leaves are typically used dried, but they can also be used fresh in some recipes.
What is the symbolic meaning of laurel?
Laurel symbolizes honor, victory, and triumph, historically used in wreaths for victors.
Are all laurels used in cooking?
No, not all laurels are used in cooking. Only the bay laurel is commonly used for culinary purposes.
Can laurel be an ornamental plant?
Yes, various laurel species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and landscapes.
Can you use any laurel leaves for cooking?
No, only bay laurel leaves are safe and suitable for culinary use.
Where does bay laurel grow best?
Bay laurel grows best in Mediterranean climates with warm, sunny conditions.
How do you store bay leaves?
Bay leaves should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
What is a common use for bay leaves in cooking?
Bay leaves are commonly used to add flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
Are laurel wreaths still used today?
Laurel wreaths are sometimes used in ceremonial contexts, symbolizing honor and achievement.
Is bay laurel evergreen?
Yes, bay laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
