Definition

1. Noun:

   • A decorative wreath or circle made of flowers, leaves, or other materials: A "garland" is a circular arrangement, often used for decoration, celebration, or as an honor.
   • A collection of literary pieces: A "garland" can also refer to an anthology or collection of poems, songs, or short writings.
   • A proper noun: "Garland" is the name of a city in Texas, USA, and the surname of the American performer Judy Garland.

2. Verb:

   • To adorn or decorate with a garland: The action of placing a wreath of flowers or leaves on something or someone as decoration or honor.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The winners wore a laurel garland on their heads.
  • She edited a garland of love poems from the 18th century.
  • We drove through Garland on our way to Dallas.

• Verb:

  • The villagers garlanded the hero with marigolds.
  • They garlanded the doorway for the festival.

Advanced Usage

• "To win/carry off the garland": An idiomatic expression meaning to win the prize or the highest honor.
  • After a brilliant performance, the young pianist carried off the garland.

Variants and Related Words

• Garlanded (adj.): Describing something decorated with garlands.
  • The garlanded statue stood in the town square.
• Garlanding (n.): The act of decorating with garlands.
  • The garlanding of the memorial is an annual tradition.

Synonyms

• Wreath: A circular band of flowers or foliage.
• Lei: A Polynesian garland of flowers, often worn around the neck.
• Anthology: A published collection of writings (for the literary sense).

Related Phrases

• Garland of roses: A specific type of garland, famously awarded to the winner of the Kentucky Derby horse race.
  • The champion horse was draped with the garland of roses.

Noun

1. flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
2. an anthology of short literary pieces and poems and ballads etc.
3. a city in northeastern Texas (suburb of Dallas)
4. United States singer and film actress (1922-1969)

Verb

1. adorn with bands of flowers or leaves
   • They garlanded the statue