Cha·nel (sh?-n?l?), Gabrielle Bonheur Known as “Coco.” 1883-1971. French fashion designer famous for her tailored suits and dresses and for her line of perfumes, particularly Chanel No. 5.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.Chanel (French ?an?l) n (Biography) Gabrielle (?abri?l), known as Coco Chanel. 1883?1971, French couturière and perfumer, who created “the little black dress” and the perfume Chanel No. 5Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014Cha?nel (???n?l, ?æ-) n. Gabrielle, ( ?Coco? ), 1882?1971, French fashion designer. Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.