gunnel

1 of 3

noun (1)

gun·​nel

less common spelling of gunwale

: the upper edge of a ship's or boat's side

gunnel

2 of 3

noun (2)

gun·​nel ˈgə-nᵊl How to pronounce gunnel (audio)
: a small slimy eellike bony fish (Pholis gunnellus) of the North Atlantic
broadly : any fish of the family (Pholidae) to which the gunnel belongs

gunwale

3 of 3

noun (3)

gun·​wale ˈgə-nᵊl How to pronounce gunwale (audio)
variants or less commonly gunnel
: the upper edge of a ship's or boat's side
see also:

Examples of gunnel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Captain Brett posed the rats for photographs, propping their heads playfully over the gunnel. Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 Read Next: The Best Bass Lures As the video shows, Codd briefly tried boat-flipping the three bass and swinging them over the gunnel. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
The large stage in the center of the arena unfolds to become a trireme spurting fire from its gunwales. Nat Segnit, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026 Icy water began crashing over the gunwale, causing the boat to flip like a toy. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunnel

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

Middle English gonne-wale, from gonne gun + wale entry 1; from its former use as a support for guns

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1740, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunnel was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunnel. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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