dow·el
ˈdau̇(-ə)l 
1
: a pin fitting into a hole in an abutting piece to prevent motion or slipping
also
: a round rod or stick used especially for cutting up into dowels
2
: a piece of wood driven into a wall so that other pieces can be nailed to it
Examples of dowel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Just take a look at their pine wood dowel hooks that resemble a piece of art.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025
Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
Tie the other end of the string to a wooden stick or dowel.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for dowel
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Noun
Add a drop of glue and tap a wood plug or piece of dowel into the hole.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Just take a look at their pine wood dowel hooks that resemble a piece of art.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
What is the difference between a French rolling pin and dowel rolling pin?
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2024
Tie the other end of the string to a wooden stick or dowel.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for dowel
Cite this Entry
“Dowel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dowel
1 of 2 noun
dow·el
ˈdau̇(-ə)l
: a pin or peg used for fastening together two pieces of wood
also
: a round rod or stick used especially for cutting up into dowels
dowel
2 of 2 verb
dowelled also doweled; dowelling also doweling
: to fasten by dowels
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