mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈma-lət 

: a hammer with a typically barrel-shaped head: such as

a

: a tool with a large head for driving another tool or for striking a surface without marring it

b

: a long-handled wooden implement used for striking a ball (as in polo or croquet)

c

: a light hammer with a small rounded or spherical usually padded head used in playing certain musical instruments (such as a vibraphone)

Examples of mallet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To achieve this, place the breasts, one at a time, in a resealable plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment, and gently pound them with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or potato masher until evenly flattened. —John Becker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026

Clapperless cowbells can come with a wooden mallet and are used as musical instruments. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026

Lopatin used fast, percussive strikes to keep the score melodic, incorporating mallet strikes to mirror the ping-pong balls. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 Dec. 2025

Harry sustained a hand injury from a mallet. —Rachel Marlowe, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maillet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of mail hammer — more at maul

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mallet

• alate
• ballot
• fallot
• palate
• palette
• pallet
• shallot

Kids Definition

mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈmal-ət 

: a hammer usually with a barrel-shaped head: as

a

: one with a large head used for driving a tool (as a chisel) or for striking a surface without damaging it

b

: a club for striking a ball (as in croquet or polo)