gavel

[ gav-uhl ]

/ ˈgæv əl /

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noun

a 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.

verb (used with object)

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.

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Origin of gavel

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; origin uncertain

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gavel

gavel , gravel, grovel

Words nearby gavel

gauzy, gavage, Gavarnie, Gavaskar, gave, gavel, gavelkind, gavel-to-gavel, gavial, Gavin, Gävle

Other definitions for gavel (2 of 2)

gavel²

[ gav-uhl ]

/ ˈgæv əl /

noun

feudal rent or tribute.

Origin of gavel

before 900; Middle English govel,Old English gafol, akin to giefan to give; cf. gabelle

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.
Why the Filibuster Defenders' Ranks Are Shrinking|Philip Elliott|March 11, 2021|Time
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.
Why the Filibuster Defenders' Ranks Are Shrinking|Philip Elliott|March 11, 2021|Time
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 Diego
Despite 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 Post

When 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|DAILY BEAST
Or 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|DAILY BEAST
Cruz giving a speech in Senate chamber while licking a gavel à la Miley?
Ted Cruz is the Miley Cyrus of the Senate|Dean Obeidallah|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After the gavel, comes the chiming of wedding bells …and the ringing of cash registers.
Post DOMA: Wedding Vendors Hear Bells...Ka-Ching!|CNBC|June 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
A murmur ran through the court-room, quickly hushed by the insistent gavel.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
He seized the gavel and began pounding vigorously and the man with the weak voice never again caught his eye.
A Hoosier Chronicle|Meredith Nicholson
His right hand rested on his gavel, he thrust his left into the side pocket of his long alpaca coat.
A Hoosier Chronicle|Meredith Nicholson
When 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

gavel

/ (ˈɡævəl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for gavel

C19: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gavel

Origin of gavel

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gavel

Words nearby gavel

Other definitions for gavel (2 of 2)

Origin of gavel

Words related to gavel

How to use gavel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gavel

Word Origin for gavel