dowel

1 of 2

noun

dow·​el ˈdau̇(-ə)l 

1

: a pin fitting into a hole in an abutting piece to prevent motion or slipping

also : a round rod or stick used especially for cutting up into dowels

2

: a piece of wood driven into a wall so that other pieces can be nailed to it

dowel

2 of 2

verb

dowelled also doweled; dowelling also doweling

transitive verb

: to fasten by or furnish with dowels

Examples of dowel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Place strips of masking tape across the can to hold the dowel in place, then place the can in the freezer overnight or until the juice is solid. —Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025

Shigeru Ban has experimented with wooden lattices, vaulting, curved planes, grids, and steel-free joinery using only pegs and dowels. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

What is the difference between a French rolling pin and dowel rolling pin? —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024

Tie the other end of the string to a wooden stick or dowel. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dowle; akin to Old High German tubili plug, Late Greek typhos wedge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dowel

• bowel
• howel
• howell
• towel
• vowel
• avowal
• disavowal

Kids Definition

dowel

1 of 2 noun

dow·​el ˈdau̇(-ə)l 

: a pin or peg used for fastening together two pieces of wood

also : a round rod or stick used especially for cutting up into dowels

dowel

2 of 2 verb

dowelled also doweled; dowelling also doweling

: to fasten by dowels