noun
maul
mawl
Maul (noun) means a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon. Example: “He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
noun
1
A heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.
"He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two."
verb
1
To injure someone badly by tearing at them, typically said of an animal attack.
"The hiker was mauled by a bear after surprising it on the trail."
2
To handle roughly or criticise harshly.
"Critics mauled the director's latest film."
How to use maul
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo attack and injure violently (like an animal mauling someone), or, as a noun, a heavy splitting hammer.
Common pairings
mauled by a dog
maul a critic
wield a maul
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Word forms
- Plural
- mauls
- Third person singular
- mauls
- Past tense
- mauled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He swung the _____ down onto the wedge to split the log in two.
Etymology
From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for maul
See all rhymes for maul →Frequently asked questions
What does “maul” mean?
The word “maul” means a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon. In plain terms, to attack and injure violently (like an animal mauling someone), or, as a noun, a heavy splitting hammer.
How do you pronounce “maul”?
“Maul” is pronounced mawl (/mɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “maul” in a sentence?
Here is “maul” used in a sentence: “He swung the maul down onto the wedge to split the log in two.”
What part of speech is “maul”?
Depending on how it is used, “maul” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “maul” come from?
The word “maul” comes from Latin. From Old French mail, "hammer," going back to Latin malleus — the same root behind "malleable.".
How many meanings does “maul” have?
“Maul” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy hammer used for driving wedges when splitting logs, or as a weapon.
