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 1

3

: sanitary napkin

Examples of napkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Courtesy of Kris Kealoha Giron One young woman kept coming back, grabbing a lid, then a napkin, then something else. — Kris Kealoha Giron, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026

Back-of-napkin math reveals Indiana may have 60 percent of its cap devoted to three players. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

The silverware and crisp cotton napkins are paired with cheerful local ceramic tableware. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Prices for the stockings start at $165, the set of four napkins is priced at $115 and the tablecloth at $215. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

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

• sanitary napkin

Kids Definition

napkin

noun

nap·​kin ˈnap-kən 

1

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

2

: 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 

1

chiefly British : diaper

2

: sanitary napkin