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

Another potential contender for the gavel was Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), who also sits on the committee, according to one source. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024

But the Louisiana Republicans will still need to secure the support of the majority of the chamber in the new year to hold onto the gavel. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

But Reschenthaler opted to remain chief deputy whip rather than seek the Rules Committee gavel. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024

Scalise's support gives Barr a clear advantage to win one of the most coveted committee gavels in the next Congress. —Juliegrace Brufke, Axios, 12 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

Kids Definition

gavel

noun

gav·​el

ˈgav-əl

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