Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ferule

noun
fer·​ule | \ ˈfer-əl How to pronounce ferule (audio) , ˈfe-rəl\
variants: or less commonly ferula \ ˈfer-​(y)ə-​lə How to pronounce ferula (audio) \

Definition of ferule

1 : an instrument (such as a flat piece of wood like a ruler) used to punish children
2 : school discipline

First Known Use of ferule

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ferule

Latin ferula giant fennel, ferule

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ferule

Statistics for ferule

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ferule

The first known use of ferule was in 1566

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on ferule

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ferule

Comments on ferule

What made you want to look up ferule? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

orthography

Listen to the pronounciation of orthography

the way words of a language are spelled

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Green Quiz

  • shamrock
  • What is the best definition of green-eyed monster?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games