dowel

noun dow·el \ ˈdau̇(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of dowel

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

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Recent Examples of dowel from the Web

Use the punches to cutout small sandpaper circles and glue them to the craft sticks and dowels.

— paul wright, Popular Mechanics, "How to Repair Car Paint Chips," 26 Feb. 2018
Kneel and hold the dowel over your head, locking your elbows and pulling your shoulder blades back and down.

— roy berendson, Popular Mechanics, "The Back Pain Repair Manual," 22 May 2018
As anyone who’s spent an afternoon with a set of IKEA instructions and baggies full of dowels and doodads knows, sometimes words, and even pictures, aren’t enough.

— nina maclaughlin, WSJ, "‘Making Things Right’ Review: How to Build a Life," 3 May 2018
For two years, Mcneill has been visiting the hand center to grasp fat wooden dowels, lift weights, pinch clips.

— meredith cohn, Washington Post, "After being shot, Baltimore police officer spends four years recovering in hope of returning to duty," 7 Apr. 2018
For two years, Mcneill has been visiting the hand center to grasp fat wooden dowels, lift weights, pinch clips.

— meredith cohn, Washington Post, "After being shot, Baltimore police officer spends four years recovering in hope of returning to duty," 7 Apr. 2018
For two years, Mcneill has been visiting the hand center to grasp fat wooden dowels, lift weights, pinch clips.

— meredith cohn, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore police officer spends four years recovering from gunshots in hope of returning to duty," 5 Apr. 2018
Use the tack to attach the pinwheel to the top of a dowel rod.

— megan arnett, Scientific American, "Just Keep Spinning--Find the Best Pinwheel Design!," 29 Mar. 2018
After test-fitting the breadboard ends, spread a little glue on the dowels, attach the ends, then use three ratchet-strap clamps to apply pressure as the glue dries.

— david agrell, Popular Mechanics, "Build This Rustic Farmhouse Table," 1 Mar. 2018

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