Word
gavel
Phoneticsgav·el, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡævəɫ/
UK/ɡˈævəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small wooden hammer that a judge or auctioneer hits on a table to get attention or show a decision is made.
n. a small ceremonial mallet struck against a sounding block to call for order or mark a ruling. Associated with judges, presiding officers, and auctioneers.
Examples
“The judge bangs her gavel to start the trial.”
“The auctioneer raises his gavel and brings it down to close the bidding at five thousand dollars.”
“After hours of heated debate, the chair's single strike of the gavel restored silence and sealed the committee's controversial decision.”
Examples
simple
“The judge bangs her gavel to start the trial.”
contextual
“The auctioneer raises his gavel and brings it down to close the bidding at five thousand dollars.”
complex
“After hours of heated debate, the chair's single strike of the gavel restored silence and sealed the committee's controversial decision.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gavel” in context.
Verb
01. bang gavel
“The judge banged the gavel to silence the noisy courtroom.”
verb + noun
02. gavel echoes
“The gavel echoed through the hall as the auction closed.”
noun + verb
03. gavel falls
“The courtroom fell silent as the gavel fell for the final verdict.”
noun + verb
04. gavel sounds
“The gavel sounded and the council meeting officially began.”
noun + verb
05. raise gavel
“She raised the gavel before announcing her final decision.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. ceremonial gavel
“The mayor was presented with a ceremonial gavel at the opening ceremony.”
adj + noun
07. miniature gavel
“He keeps a miniature gavel on his desk as a souvenir from law school.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. crack of gavel
“We heard the loud crack of the gavel from the next room.”
noun + prep + noun
09. bang the gavel
“The judge banged the gavel and declared the court in session.”
10. bring down the gavel
“She brought down the gavel to end the heated debate.”
11. pass the gavel
“The outgoing president will pass the gavel to her successor.”
12. pound the gavel for order
“The chairman had to pound the gavel for order twice.”
Real-World Examples
“Moments later, Mr. Cardin swung his small gavel and wrapped up the session.” Etymology
From Middle English gavel, from Old English gafol, from Proto-West Germanic gabul, from Proto-Germanic gabulą, from Proto-Germanic *gebaną (“to give”), equivalent to give + -el.
Origin obscure. Possibly an alteration of dialectal cavel, a variant of kevel (“a stone mason's axe with a flat face, a cleat or bollard”), from Middle English kevel (“a mason's hammer”), from Old Norse kefli (“a piece of wood, stick, cylinder, mangle”). Cognate with Norwegian kjevle (“rolling pin”).
From Old French gavelle (cf. Modern French javelle) probably diminutive from Latin capulus (“handle”), from capere (“to lay hold of, seize”); or compare Welsh gafael (“hold, grasp”). Compare heave.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
01. gavel to order
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/gavel