# Lawson

/ˈɫɔsən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lawson
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR B2

a common family name in English-speaking countries, originally meaning 'son of Lawrence'.

For teachers: a common English and Scottish patronymic surname derived from the personal name Lawrence.

- Mr. Lawson is the new history teacher at the local high school.
- The Lawson family has resided in this particular county for several generations, maintaining a prominent role in local commerce.

### 2. a chemical dye

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a natural red-orange dye found in the leaves of the henna plant.

For teachers: a red-orange naphthoquinone dye found in the leaves of the henna plant, Lawsonia inermis.

- The lawson in the henna leaves is what stains the skin orange.
- The concentration of lawson within the plant material determines the intensity and longevity of the resulting dye on keratinous surfaces.

## Examples

- The gardener planted a row of Lawson cypress trees.
- The property line is marked by a tall Lawson hedge that provides excellent privacy from the street.
- While the Lawson cypress is prized for its aesthetic versatility in European gardens, its native populations in Oregon face significant threats from root rot pathogens.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.