Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

gauntlet

noun (1)
Save Word
gaunt·​let | \ ˈgȯnt-lət How to pronounce gauntlet (audio) , ˈgänt- \
variants: or less commonly

Definition of gauntlet

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a glove worn with medieval armor to protect the hand
2 : any of various protective gloves used especially in industry
3 : an open challenge (as to combat) —used in phrases like throw down the gauntlet
4 : a dress glove extending above the wrist

gauntlet

noun (2)
variants: or less commonly gantlet

Definition of gauntlet (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a double file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or other weapons with which to strike at an individual who is made to run between them —used with run
b : a line, series, or assemblage especially : one that poses some sort of ordeal a gauntlet of autograph-seekers
2 : a severe trial : ordeal ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure

Other Words from gauntlet

Noun (1)

gauntleted \ ˈgȯnt-​lə-​təd How to pronounce gauntleted (audio) , ˈgänt-​ \ adjective

First Known Use of gauntlet

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for gauntlet

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle French gantelet, diminutive of gant glove, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch want glove, Old Norse vǫttr

Noun (2)

altered from gantelope, apparently by assimilation to gauntlet entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gauntlet

Time Traveler for gauntlet

Time Traveler

The first known use of gauntlet was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Listen to Our Podcast about gauntlet

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Statistics for gauntlet

Cite this Entry

“Gauntlet.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gauntlet. Accessed 11 December 2019.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for gauntlet

gauntlet

noun
gaunt·​let | \ ˈgȯnt-lət \

Kids Definition of gauntlet

1 : a glove made of small metal plates and worn with a suit of armor
2 : a glove with a wide cuff that protects the wrist and part of the arm

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on gauntlet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gauntlet

Spanish Central: Translation of gauntlet

Nglish: Translation of gauntlet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauntlet

Comments on gauntlet

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

sodden

Listen to the pronounciation of sodden

heavy with or as if with moisture

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

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