gavel
1a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order.
a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid.
Masonry. kevel2.
to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.).
(of a presiding officer)
to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel.
to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.
Origin of gavel
1Words that may be confused with gavel
Words Nearby gavel
Other definitions for gavel (2 of 2)
feudal rent or tribute.
Origin of gavel
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use gavel in a sentence
If the person sitting atop the Senate and wielding the gavel says no, then they can start operating another way.
If any other Senator objects, the person with the gavel can put it to a floor vote, and if 50 votes plus the VP agree with the change, it’s game-on for a bare majority to run the floor.
Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Republican who represents North County, is next up in the rotation, but he’s not likely to get the gavel.
Morning Report: DNA Testing Reveals Local Fertility Fraud Cases | Voice of San Diego | January 5, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoDespite serving 24 years in the Senate, Durbin is just now hitting the right seniority to be in line for a full committee gavel.
Sen. Durbin willing to give up subcommittee post as peace offering amid Democrats’ post-election infighting | Paul Kane, Seung Min Kim | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostWhen I beat Thom Tillis, with y’alls help and support, this will be the seat that takes the gavel out of Mitch McConnell’s hands.
In N.C., voters call Cunningham’s infidelity reckless, shocking. They still vote for the Democrat. | Rachael Bade, Pam Kelley | October 21, 2020 | Washington Post
One advantage of Inhofe taking the gavel is that he might have to start playing defense.
If You Think D.C. Is Awful Now, Wait Until Wednesday | Jonathan Alter | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOr maybe show a photo of Ted Cruz holding a gavel chairing a subcommittee.
Democrats, You Better Get Angry or You’ll Lose Congress | Dean Obeidallah | April 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCruz giving a speech in Senate chamber while licking a gavel à la Miley?
After the gavel, comes the chiming of wedding bells …and the ringing of cash registers.
They'd gavel in for a few moments once every couple of days, and then gavel out again.
DC Appellate Court Rules Obama's Recess Appointment Unconstitutional | Megan McArdle | January 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTA murmur ran through the court-room, quickly hushed by the insistent gavel.
Mystery Ranch | Arthur ChapmanHe seized the gavel and began pounding vigorously and the man with the weak voice never again caught his eye.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith NicholsonHis right hand rested on his gavel, he thrust his left into the side pocket of his long alpaca coat.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith NicholsonWhen they had all seated themselves at a large oval table, Harkaman drew his pistol and used the butt for a gavel.
Space Viking | Henry Beam Piper"A burnt match," said the inspector, just as the clock struck five and the constable's gavel sounded a prelude to adjournment.
The Incendiary | W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy
British Dictionary definitions for gavel
/ (ˈɡævəl) /
a small hammer used by a chairman, auctioneer, etc, to call for order or attention
a hammer used by masons to trim rough edges off stones
Origin of gavel
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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