Illustration of bevel
- bevel 2c
1
: an instrument consisting of two rules or arms jointed together and opening to any angle for drawing angles or adjusting surfaces to be cut at an angle
2
a
: the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles
b
: the slant of such a surface or line
c
: the surface or line at such a slant or inclination
3
: the part of printing type extending from face to shoulder
Examples of bevel in a Sentence
Noun
the bevel of the mirror
Verb
a tool that is used for beveling wood
Recent Examples on the Web
Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
The flat method requires adjusting the saw blade to make both a bevel and miter cut.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Nov. 2022
Even Ducati, founded in 1926 to make radios, didn’t produce its first motorbike until 1949, and by the early 1980s was nearly out of business, saved by investors and modern designs far removed from its original bevel-drive power plants.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2021
Adjustments may be made quickly with a lever that lowers and raises the base plate and an adjustment knob at the front sets the bevel angle.
—Cary Jenkins, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2021
German knives typically have a bevel edge between 20 and 22 degrees on each side.
—Marni Jameson, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
German knives typically have a bevel edge of between 20 and 22 degrees on each side.
—Marni Jameson | Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, 15 Dec. 2020
Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
The paintings are set into the frame of a slight bevel, turning them into dioramas, or a series of windows.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2023
There might be some light scuffs and scratches on the case or bevel, and the hardware specs are relatively low in comparison to modern iPads.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
The sharpening wheel is what is refining the bevel on the edge of the knife blade.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023
Now match the second set of cuts: Start at the bottom sides and cut down—at an angle again rather than straight down—to make bevels.
—Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023
Cardinal scored the log in intervals to break up the grain, then used a broad ax — which has a bevel on just one side of the blade — to take off chunks.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2023
Insert the insulin needle quickly at a 45° angle, keeping the bevel up to avoid skin tearing.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
The blade not only has a large number of teeth (60) but also an alternate top bevel (ATB) tooth geometry with an unusually steep angle of the top grind.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2023
The mat has a non-slip design at the bottom, a smooth surface to stand on, and beveled edges that help prevent tripping.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 26 July 2023
The blade is also double beveled, which means both sides are equally sharp.
—Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2023
Take a light touch at first when beveling or grinding down flat areas.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023
Silvestri arrived ready for a day of dancing, and did just that, doing high kicks and learning how to bevel.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 4 May 2023
The knives are labeled as being beveled to 15 degrees, which is characteristic of Japanese-style knives.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2023
Either way, this beveled light mirror is a good option for those yearning for a bit of glamour.
—Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 24 Mar. 2023
This rubber pick is 0.75 inches thick and features beveled edges to keep the mat in place.
—Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
Adjective
Here, the nut on the left marks the point at which this bevel head bolt will be cut to length.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
The flat method requires adjusting the saw blade to make both a bevel and miter cut.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Nov. 2022
Even Ducati, founded in 1926 to make radios, didn’t produce its first motorbike until 1949, and by the early 1980s was nearly out of business, saved by investors and modern designs far removed from its original bevel-drive power plants.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2021
Adjustments may be made quickly with a lever that lowers and raises the base plate and an adjustment knob at the front sets the bevel angle.
—Cary Jenkins, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2021
German knives typically have a bevel edge between 20 and 22 degrees on each side.
—Marni Jameson, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
German knives typically have a bevel edge of between 20 and 22 degrees on each side.
—Marni Jameson | Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, 15 Dec. 2020
Noun
The pre-set bevel stops are at 0 and 45 degrees to the left.
—Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023
The paintings are set into the frame of a slight bevel, turning them into dioramas, or a series of windows.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2023
There might be some light scuffs and scratches on the case or bevel, and the hardware specs are relatively low in comparison to modern iPads.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 14 Sep. 2023
The sharpening wheel is what is refining the bevel on the edge of the knife blade.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023
Now match the second set of cuts: Start at the bottom sides and cut down—at an angle again rather than straight down—to make bevels.
—Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023
Cardinal scored the log in intervals to break up the grain, then used a broad ax — which has a bevel on just one side of the blade — to take off chunks.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2023
Insert the insulin needle quickly at a 45° angle, keeping the bevel up to avoid skin tearing.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023
The blade not only has a large number of teeth (60) but also an alternate top bevel (ATB) tooth geometry with an unusually steep angle of the top grind.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
Verb
Unlike the similarly shaped usuba, which is single beveled, a nakiri can be used by lefties and righties alike and is easier to sharpen.
—Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2023
The mat has a non-slip design at the bottom, a smooth surface to stand on, and beveled edges that help prevent tripping.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 26 July 2023
The blade is also double beveled, which means both sides are equally sharp.
—Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2023
Take a light touch at first when beveling or grinding down flat areas.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023
Silvestri arrived ready for a day of dancing, and did just that, doing high kicks and learning how to bevel.
—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 4 May 2023
The knives are labeled as being beveled to 15 degrees, which is characteristic of Japanese-style knives.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2023
Either way, this beveled light mirror is a good option for those yearning for a bit of glamour.
—Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 24 Mar. 2023
This rubber pick is 0.75 inches thick and features beveled edges to keep the mat in place.
—Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bevel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle French *bevel, from Old French *baivel, from baïf with open mouth, from baer to yawn — more at abeyance
First Known Use
Adjective
1609, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1678, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing bevel
Dictionary Entries Near bevel
Cite this Entry
“Bevel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bevel. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
bevel
1 of 2 noun
bev·el
ˈbev-əl 
1
: the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles
2
: the slant of a bevel
bevel
2 of 2 verb
beveled or bevelled; beveling or bevelling
ˈbev-(ə-)liŋ
: to cut or shape (as an edge) so as to form a bevel
More from Merriam-Webster on bevel
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bevel
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share