bevel

American  

[bev-uhl] / ˈbɛv əl /

noun

1. the inclination that one line or surface makes with another when not at right angles.

2. a surface that does not form a right angle with adjacent surfaces.

3. (of a lock bolt) the oblique end that hits the strike plate.

4. (of a lock with a beveled bolt) the side facing in the same direction as the bevel at the end of the bolt.

5. bevel square.

6. an adjustable instrument for drawing angles or adjusting the surface of work to a particular inclination.

7. Printing. beard.

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verb (used with or without object)

beveled, beveling, bevelled, bevelling

1. to cut or slant at a bevel.

   to bevel an edge to prevent splintering.

adjective

1. Also beveled; bevelled. oblique; sloping; slanted.

bevel British  

/ ˈbɛvəl /

noun

1. 1. Also called: cant.  a surface that meets another at an angle other than a right angle Compare chamfer

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bevel edge

      bevel square

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verb

1. (intr) to be inclined; slope

2. (tr) to cut a bevel on (a piece of timber, etc)

Other Word Forms

• beveler noun
• bevelled adjective
• beveller noun
• unbeveled adjective
• underbeveling noun

Etymology

Origin of bevel

First recorded in 1555–65; from unattested Middle French bevel ( French béveau, biveau ), unattested Old French baivel, equivalent to baïf “with open mouth” ( ba(er) “to gape” ( bay ² ) + -if adjective suffix) + -el, from Latin -ellus noun suffix; -ive, -elle

Example Sentences

To bear up under the higher stress, the PDK’s clutches, gearsets and bevel gear have all been reinforced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Often, the city’s answer is a temporary bevel and shim fix — either grinding down edges on cracked sidewalks or adding a small amount of asphalt to bridge the gaps.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2023

According to Adidas, the Weagle design on the front of the sweater features a “combination of sublimation and classic twill embroidery,” producing a bevel effect.

From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023

Even when I'm cutting a pumpkin, I will cut a little bevel on the bottom, just cut a little edge off, and now it is solid on the board.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2022

In addition to this bevel, however, there may be employed two vertical bevels c in the top view in Fig.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua