mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈma-lət 

: a hammer with a typically barrel-shaped head: such as

a

: a tool with a large head for driving another tool or for striking a surface without marring it

b

: a long-handled wooden implement used for striking a ball (as in polo or croquet)

c

: a light hammer with a small rounded or spherical usually padded head used in playing certain musical instruments (such as a vibraphone)

Examples of mallet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Diners spend hours cracking shells with wooden mallets, picking meat by hand, and washing it all down with cold beer. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026

Slice each fillet into 3 thinner cutlets, then pound a bit thinner with kitchen mallet. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

Zendaya’s character has had a rough season, recently narrowly avoiding having her head clubbed off with a polo mallet. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 25 May 2026

Does someone’s head get crushed with a mallet? —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maillet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of mail hammer — more at maul

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mallet

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• palate
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈmal-ət 

: a hammer usually with a barrel-shaped head: as

a

: one with a large head used for driving a tool (as a chisel) or for striking a surface without damaging it

b

: a club for striking a ball (as in croquet or polo)