gavel

1 of 3

noun (1)

gav·​el ˈga-vəl 

: rent or tribute in medieval England

gavel

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (such as a vote or sale)

gavel

3 of 3

verb

gaveled or gavelled; gaveling or gavelling ˈga-v(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to bring or force by use of a gavel

gaveled the audience to silence

Examples of gavel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To move Democrats back to holding the Senate’s gavels, Democrats’ official playbook is to pursue flips in Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio. —Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026

Before the gavel drops, here’s a look back at what was — by any measure — a busy year at City Hall. —Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026

Verb

The Texas Legislature doesn’t gavel in for its next legislative session in Austin until 2027. —Eleanor Dearman updated January 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2026

Because of retirements and bids for higher office, there will be new legislators in several key positions in the Iowa House and Senate when lawmakers gavel in for the start of the legislative session. —Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English gafol; akin to Old English giefan to give

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gavel

• gavel-to-gavel

Rhymes for gavel

• caval
• cavil
• gravel
• travel
• unravel

Kids Definition

gavel

noun

gav·​el

ˈgav-əl

: the mallet of an officer in charge of a meeting or of an auctioneer