gauntlet

1 of 2

noun (1)

gaunt·​let ˈgȯnt-lət 

ˈgänt-

variants or less commonly gantlet

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

gauntleted

ˈgȯnt-lə-təd 

ˈgänt-

adjective

gauntlet

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly gantlet

1

a

: 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

Did you know?

There’s no reason to treat the word gauntlet with kid gloves, so let’s go straight to the punch: gauntlet (which comes from the Middle French word gantelet, the diminutive of gant, meaning “glove”) first referred to the reinforced glove of a suit of armor, but today it’s mostly encountered in figurative phrases, such as “throw down the gauntlet” and “pick up the gauntlet,” that arose from the conventions of medieval combat. To challenge someone to combat, a knight would throw his glove at another knight’s feet. The second knight would pick the glove up if he intended to accept the challenge, in which case a jousting match might ensue. Accordingly, to throw down the gauntlet is to issue an open challenge, while to pick up the gauntlet is to accept one. (The gauntlet that means “severe trial,” or “ordeal,” often used in the phrase “run the gauntlet,” is an alteration of gantelope, a word that originates from Swedish gata, meaning “lane” or “way.”)

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• trial
• initiation
• ordeal
• crucible
• cross
• fire

Examples of gauntlet in a Sentence

Noun (2)

before being adopted, school textbooks must often run the gauntlet of several local and state committees

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ninja Gaiden Photo: Courtesy of Nintendo The ’80s were the golden age for video-game difficulty, and the NES boasted an oppressive gauntlet of Battletoads, Contra, and the early Mega Man games. —Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025

As the morning trickled on, fans lined up in a gauntlet outside the bar, hopefully keeping watch for golf carts from Las Olas Isles. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threw down a gauntlet June 11, telling members of Congress that the federal government's deployment of National Guard troops could expand beyond Los Angeles and California. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 14 June 2025

Musashi questions his Oni gauntlet, but the gauntlet refuses to comply, much to Musashi's annoyance. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gauntlet

• pick/take up the gauntlet
• throw down the gauntlet

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Kids Definition

gauntlet

1 of 2 noun

gaunt·​let ˈgȯnt-lət 

ˈgänt-

1

: a protective glove worn with a suit of armor

2

: a protective glove used in industry

3

: an open challenge

—used in phrases like throw down the gauntlet

gauntleted

-lət-əd 

adjective

gauntlet

2 of 2 noun

variants also gantlet

1

: a double file of men armed with weapons (as clubs) with which to strike at a person who is made to run between them

2

: a severe test or experience