bevel

adjective bev·el \ ˈbe-vəl \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: bevel in a Sentence

Definition of bevel

: oblique, beveled

a bevel edge

First Known Use of bevel

1609

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

bevel

noun

Definition of bevel

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

See bevel defined for English-language learners

See bevel defined for kids

Examples of bevel in a Sentence

the bevel of the mirror

Recent Examples of bevel from the Web

Picture windows with square and diamond bevels take in leafy views.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "The Manor in Holmby Hills is back on top at $200 million," 21 Apr. 2018
Picture windows with square and diamond bevels take in leafy views.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "The Manor in Holmby Hills is back on top at $200 million," 21 Apr. 2018
Picture windows with square and diamond bevels take in leafy views.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "The Manor in Holmby Hills is back on top at $200 million," 21 Apr. 2018
Picture windows with square and diamond bevels take in leafy views.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "The Manor in Holmby Hills is back on top at $200 million," 21 Apr. 2018
Sharpen only the beveled side of the blade, working in the same direction as the bevel.

— cindy daniel, Sunset, "How to Maintan Your Garden Tools," 22 Jan. 2018
It's built to bring forth quick, accurate bevel cuts between 0 and 48 degrees.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Outfit Your Workbench With DeWalt's Woodworking Tool Sale," 21 Feb. 2018
Tilt the table-saw blade to 73 degrees, and run one 1 x 4 along a 50-tooth ATBR blade to put the bevel on each edge.

— roy berendson, Popular Mechanics, "6 Simple Projects You Can Make From Scrap Wood," 21 Mar. 2018
Picture windows with square and diamond bevels take in leafy views.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "Onetime Bel-Air home of actress Reese Witherspoon returns at nearly $14 million," 24 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bevel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of bevel

Origin and Etymology of bevel

Middle French *bevel, from Old French *baivel, from baïf with open mouth, from baer to yawn — more at abeyance

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

bevel

verb

Definition of bevel

beveled or bevelled; beveling or bevelling \ˈbev-liŋ, ˈbe-və-\

transitive verb

: to cut or shape to a bevel

intransitive verb

: incline, slant

See bevel defined for English-language learners

Examples of bevel in a Sentence

a tool that is used for beveling wood

Recent Examples of bevel from the Web

Some stations’ wooden window frames are beveled, some roofs have finials, and some rounded arches are replaced with ever-so-slightly pointed arches.

— peter christensen, Smithsonian, "Just Like Faces, Buildings Have Features That Algorithms Can Recognize," 24 Apr. 2018
Right-angle grinder: for grinding, beveling, and flattening welds, as well as for surface preparation.

— phillip pantuso, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Started With Welding," 27 May 2015
To use them effectively, fabricators typically bevel and deburr the ends after they are cut to length.

— roy berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "3 Ways To Get the Most Out of a Belt Sander," 20 Oct. 2017
Another way to update classics: Here, Shaker-style cabinets, shiplap on walls and interior doors have been beveled to reduce the thickness of the edges.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "'Carefree' family farmhouse with a concrete tub: Tour the Street of Dreams (photos)," 1 Aug. 2017
Next, crosscut and bevel the seat support and lay the support across the legs.

— joesph truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build the Perfect Picnic Table," 12 June 2017
For the flipped effect, follow up a round-brush blowout by smoothing strands with a flat iron, slightly beveling the ends, says Atkin.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and More Are Bringing Back the Clueless Blowout," 19 July 2017
The superstructure calls for a white concrete finish, and its underside is shaped or beveled for a lighter look.

— andres viglucci, miamiherald, "Rival I-395 plans would bring iconic bridges, parks, sunlight to downtown and Overtown," 25 May 2017

First Known Use of bevel

1678

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

BEVEL Defined for English Language Learners

bevel

noun

Definition of bevel for English Language Learners

: a slanted surface or edge on a piece of wood, glass, etc.
: a tool that is used to make a slanted surface or edge on a piece of wood, glass, etc.

bevel

verb

Definition of bevel for English Language Learners

: to cut or shape (a surface or edge) at an angle or slant

BEVEL Defined for Kids

bevel

noun bev·el \ ˈbe-vəl \

Definition of bevel for Students

: a slant or slope of one surface or line against another

History for bevel

At first the word bevel was used for a certain kind of angle. This was the angle formed by two surfaces that are not at right angles. Look at the opening of such an angle. You may be able to imagine that it looks like an open mouth. The English word bevel came from an Old French word baïf that meant “with open mouth.” This word was formed from the Old French verb baer, “to yawn.”