gavel

1 of 3

noun (1)

gav·​el ˈga-vəl 

: rent or tribute in medieval England

gavel

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (such as a vote or sale)

gavel

3 of 3

verb

gaveled or gavelled; gaveling or gavelling ˈga-v(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to bring or force by use of a gavel

gaveled the audience to silence

Examples of gavel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The vote was 217-215, with a single Republican and all Democrats opposed, and the outcome was in jeopardy until the gavel. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Feb. 2025

Don’t be surprised if its gavel price is beaten in the next four to five years, though, especially with how things have gone over the last decade. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025

Verb

State of play: For the first time in over three weeks, enough members showed up at the Capitol to officially gavel in the 134-member chamber and get to business. —Torey Van Oot, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

Hard-line House Republicans who have been party to gavel battles in the past, meanwhile, say chatter is increasing about Speaker alternatives, raising serious questions about Johnson’s fate in the top job. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English gafol; akin to Old English giefan to give

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gavel

• gavel-to-gavel

Rhymes for gavel

• caval
• cavil
• gravel
• travel
• unravel

Kids Definition

gavel

noun

gav·​el

ˈgav-əl

: the mallet of an officer in charge of a meeting or of an auctioneer