gavel
1 Americannoun
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a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order.
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a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid.
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Masonry. kevel.
verb (used with object)
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to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.).
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(of a presiding officer)
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to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel.
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to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.
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noun
noun
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a small hammer used by a chairman, auctioneer, etc, to call for order or attention
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a hammer used by masons to trim rough edges off stones
Etymology
Origin of gavel1
An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; origin uncertain
Origin of gavel2
before 900; Middle English govel, Old English gafol, akin to giefan to give; cf. gabelle
Explanation
You know that wooden hammer a judge slams down on his desk when he's trying to bring order to the court? That's a gavel. Judges aren't the only ones who use gavels. They are common in governments large and small, where they are used to bring order to the often unruly rooms where government happens. But they are also a sign of who's in charge. The practice of turning control from one party, or one person, to another, is done by "passing the gavel." It's a big deal when the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives turns over the gavel to the incoming Speaker. Sometimes it looks like the hand-off won't happen — a gavel being the ultimate sign of authority and power.
Vocabulary lists containing gavel
Ghost Boys
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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The latest costs relate to a mural depicting a judge in a wig battering a protester with his gavel, which appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 8 September 2025.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
“I can’t tell you how nervous I am to drop the gavel on this one,” Barker said in the moment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 22, 2025
It sold for $250,000 at the gavel, or $318,000 after the auctioneer’s premium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2025
The gallery laughed, inspiring Patrick to hammer his gavel once again: “Any outbursts, first warning—next time, you’re out of the gallery!” he said.
From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2025
“Good,” said the judge, rapping his gavel three times.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
