SINCE 1828
gavel
noun (1)
gav·el
| \ ˈga-vəl
\
\
Definition of gavel
(Entry 1 of 3)
: rent or tribute in medieval England
gavel
noun (2)Definition of gavel (Entry 2 of 3)
: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (such as a vote or sale)
gavel
verb
gaveled
or gavelled;
gaveling
or gavelling\ ˈgav-liŋ ,
ˈga-və-
\
ˈga-və-
\
Definition of gavel (Entry 3 of 3)
: to bring or force by use of a gavel
gaveled the audience to silence
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about gavel
Statistics for gavel
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for gavel
The first known use of gavel was before the 12th century
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for gavel
gavel
noun
gav·el
| \ ˈga-vəl
\
\
Kids Definition of gavel
: a mallet with which the person in charge raps to get people's attention in a meeting or courtroom
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on gavel
What made you want to look up gavel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
-
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Homophone Quiz
More/moor than/then two/too/to.
Take the quiz -
Liar, Liar Quiz
Test your knowledge of words for lies, liars, and those being lied to. In other words, everyone.
Take the quiz -
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share gavel
Resources for gavel