gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

a

: the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge

b

: the similar end of a gambrel roof

c

: the end wall of a building

2

: a triangular part or structure

gabled

ˈgā-bəld 

adjective

Illustration of gable

• 1 gable 1a

Examples of gable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Palladian Windows While the windows throughout a Federal-style building are oriented to be both vertically and horizontally symmetrical, Palladian-style windows might be used in gables to add architectural interest. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025

Box Gable: On a box gable, the gable's end is closed and the wall stops below the start of the gable. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2024

The entire gable was leaning dangerously inward and had to be rebuilt. —Marcela Valdes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

Wide lawns skirted the structure, which had several gables arranged cheerfully around a river-stone chimney. —Marcela Valdes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

Note: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gable

• gable roof

Rhymes for gable

• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable
• table
• allocable
• educable
• integrable
• purchasable

Kids Definition

gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

: the triangular part of an outside wall of a building that is formed by the sides of the roof sloping down from the ridgepole to the eaves

2

: a triangular structure (as over a door or window)

gabled

-bəld 

adjective

Biographical Definition

Gable

biographical name

Ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

(William) Clark 1901–1960 American actor