Illustration of gargoyle
- gargoyle 1a
gargoyle
noun
gar·goyle
ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)l 
1
a
: a spout in the form of a grotesque human or animal figure projecting from a roof gutter to throw rainwater clear of a building
b
: a grotesquely carved figure
2
: a person with an ugly face
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In the 12th century, St. Bernard of Clairvaux reportedly complained about the new sculptures in the cloisters where he lived. "Surely," he is quoted as saying, "if we do not blush for such absurdities we should at least regret what we have spent on them." St. Bernard was apparently provoked by the grotesque figures designed to drain rainwater from buildings. By the 13th century, those figures were being called gargoyles, a name that came to Middle English from the Old French word gargoule. The stone beasts likely earned that name because of the water that gargled out of their throats and mouths; the word gargoule is imitative in origin.
Examples of gargoyle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gothic gargoyles appeared, lights dimmed, and the crowd chanted the prima donna’s name at the desert operahouse.
—
Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Dracula, a creature of CGI as much as a creature of the night, resembles something in between a gargoyle and Slenderman Gollum.
—Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
For example, gargoyles on the facade were inspired by the hood ornaments on the Plymouth and other Chrysler products.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024
It is filled with symbolic decorations, colorful glass, artworks and gargoyles.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
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Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Dracula, a creature of CGI as much as a creature of the night, resembles something in between a gargoyle and Slenderman Gollum.
—Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
For example, gargoyles on the facade were inspired by the hood ornaments on the Plymouth and other Chrysler products.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024
It is filled with symbolic decorations, colorful glass, artworks and gargoyles.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gargoyle
Cite this Entry
“Gargoyle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gargoyle. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gargoyle
noun
gar·goyle
ˈgär-ˌgȯil
: a waterspout in the form of a strange or frightening human or animal figure sticking out at the roof or eaves of a building
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