gavel

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

Lawmakers are meeting in committees during the interim committee hearing in Austin, conducting hearings and reviews of laws implemented last year and seeking information ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature, which gavels in January 2027. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Legislators' goal is to get the bill approved and sent to Beshear by the end of the month, so any vetoes from the governor can be overridden when lawmakers gavel back in briefly in mid-April. —Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Mar. 2026

After the House and Senate gavel in at noon, there will be brief floor sessions followed by adjournments. —Wcco Staff, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

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