dowel

1 of 2

noun

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

dowel

2 of 2

verb

dowelled also doweled; dowelling also doweling

transitive verb

: to fasten by or furnish with dowels

Examples of dowel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Insert the dowel rod into the soil in a sunny part of your garden, put a brand new, soap-free nylon dish scrubber into the coupe, add butterfly nectar, and wait for hummingbirds and butterflies to arrive. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025

Its solid pine wood frame sits upon tapered dowel legs, giving it a mid-century modern aesthetic that complements various decor styles. —Alexandra Kay, People.com, 25 May 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dowle; akin to Old High German tubili plug, Late Greek typhos wedge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dowel

• bowel
• howel
• howell
• towel
• vowel
• avowal
• disavowal

Kids 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