Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Laureate has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
someone honored for great achievements; figuratively someone crowned with a laurel wreath
"After decades of groundbreaking research that transformed our understanding of climate change, she was widely hailed as the true laureate of modern science."
One crowned with laurel, such as a poet laureate or Nobel laureate.
"After years of groundbreaking research, she was finally named a Nobel laureate for her work in physics."
To honor with a wreath of laurel, as formerly was done in bestowing a degree at English universities.
"The university president draped a fresh laurel wreath around the new chancellor's head to officially confer his honorary doctorate."
worthy of the greatest honor or distinction
"The nation's pediatrician laureate is preparing to lay down his black bag"
Crowned, or decked, with laurel.
"The ancient statue depicted a victorious athlete crowned with fresh laurel leaves to signify his triumph in the games."
The word "laureate" comes from the Latin laureātus, meaning "wearing a laurel crown," which was originally given as a high reward to poets and victors. It is derived from the Latin root for the laurel tree itself.