a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field or with a particular award

a Nobel laureate.

poet laureate.

deserving or having special recognition for achievement, as for poetry (often used immediately after the noun that is modified)

poet laureate; conjurer laureate.

having special distinction or recognition in a field

the laureate men of science.

crowned or decked with laurel as a mark of honor.

consisting of or resembling laurel, as a wreath or crown.