noun

gavel

GA-vuhl

Gavel (noun) means a small ceremonial mallet used by a judge, chairperson, or auctioneer to call for order or to confirm a decision. Example: “The judge banged the gavel and called the courtroom to order.”

noun

A small ceremonial mallet used by a judge, chairperson, or auctioneer to call for order or to confirm a decision.

"The judge banged the gavel and called the courtroom to order."

"The auctioneer's gavel came down, and the painting was sold."

verb

To use a gavel, or to formally open or close a session by striking one.

"The chairman gaveled the meeting to a close."

How to use gavel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe small wooden hammer a judge or auctioneer bangs to get attention or confirm a decision.

Common pairings

bang the gavel the gavel came down gavel the meeting to order

Word forms

gaveled past tense, gavelled past tense, gaveled past tense, gavelled past tense, gavels plural, gavels plural, gavels plural, gavels plural, gavels singular, gavels singular

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The judge banged the _____ and called the courtroom to order.

Etymology

Traced to Old English gafol, originally meaning tribute or payment, later shifting to describe the small mallet used to mark formal proceedings.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for gavel

navel ravel Pavel Havel travel gravel unravel

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Frequently asked questions

What does “gavel” mean?

The word “gavel” means a small ceremonial mallet used by a judge, chairperson, or auctioneer to call for order or to confirm a decision. In plain terms, the small wooden hammer a judge or auctioneer bangs to get attention or confirm a decision.

How do you pronounce “gavel”?

“Gavel” is pronounced GA-vuhl (/ˈɡæ.vəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “gavel” in a sentence?

Here is “gavel” used in a sentence: “The judge banged the gavel and called the courtroom to order.”

What part of speech is “gavel”?

Depending on how it is used, “gavel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “gavel” come from?

The word “gavel” comes from Old English. Traced to Old English gafol, originally meaning tribute or payment, later shifting to describe the small mallet used to mark formal proceedings.

How many meanings does “gavel” have?

“Gavel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small ceremonial mallet used by a judge, chairperson, or auctioneer to call for order or to confirm a decision.