laurel wreath vs laurels

laurel wreath and laurels both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
laurel wreath	Yes	No	No	No
laurels	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, laurels is a hypernym of laurel wreath; that is, laurels is a word with a broader meaning than laurel wreath:

laurel wreath: an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
laurels: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

Other hypernyms of laurel wreath include accolade, award, honor, honour.

laurel wreath (noun)	laurels (noun)
(antiquity) a wreath of laurel foliage worn on the head as an emblem of victory	a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event	the state of being honored