gavel

¹ American  

[gav-uhl] / ˈgæv əl /

noun

1. a small mallet used by the presiding officer of a meeting, a judge, etc., usually to signal for attention or order.

2. a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid.

3. Masonry. kevel.

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verb (used with object)

1. to chair (a legislative session, convention, meeting, etc.).

2. (of a presiding officer)

   1. to request or maintain (order at a meeting) by striking a gavel.

   2. to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.

gavel ² American  

[gav-uhl] / ˈgæv əl /

noun

1. feudal rent or tribute.

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gavel British  

/ ˈɡævəl /

noun

1. a small hammer used by a chairman, auctioneer, etc, to call for order or attention

2. a hammer used by masons to trim rough edges off stones

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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.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the November 22, 2025, print edition as 'The Man With the Gavel at Sotheby’s'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025

Her book “Charged” won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the current-interest category and the Silver Gavel book award from the American Bar Association.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2020

After the conclusion of the five-week impeachment trial of President Clinton in 1999, the majority leader presented Chief Justice William Rehnquist with a Golden Gavel for his time spent presiding over the trial.

From Fox News • Feb. 5, 2020

On the first extra hole Gavel had a two-footer for the win.

From Golf Digest • Dec. 24, 2019

"Curse your laziness!" exploded Mr. Gavel; "and this is your notion of searching for me, is it?"

From True Tilda by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir