gargoyle

noun

gar·​goyle ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce gargoyle (audio)
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
gargoyled adjective

Illustration of gargoyle

Illustration of gargoyle
  • gargoyle 1a

Did you know?

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 Villeneuve is adept at staging grand-scale battles, but the movie’s best set piece is the climactic tooth-and-nail face-off between Paul and this grinning gargoyle. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 2024 Over-the-top elements of this architectural style include balconies carved with peering gargoyles and gremlins on gilded buildings. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2024 The show followed nocturnal gargoyles that protect New York City from supernatural threats. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Oct. 2023 In one photograph from that period, hundreds of vultures crowd a New Delhi dump and perch like gargoyles on the buildings that surround it. Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 More amusingly, among the gargoyles and grotesques that dot the various towers are one in the form of a corrupt politician and another representing Darth Vader. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023 In the series, a nocturnal species known as gargoyles are stone during the day but come alive at night. Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Oct. 2023 The premise involved gargoyle statues moved from a castle in Scotland to modern-day New York. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2023 Washington National Cathedral, a famous example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is known for its collection of more than a hundred gargoyles and grotesques, including funny ones. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 14 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gargoyle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gargule, gargoyl, from Old French gargoule

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gargoyle was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gargoyle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gargoyle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gargoyle

noun
gar·​goyle ˈgär-ˌgȯil How to pronounce gargoyle (audio)
: 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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