A gavel is a small ceremonial mallet/hammer commonly made of hardwood, typically fashioned with a handle. It can be used to call for attention or to punctuate rulings and proclamations and is a symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a presiding officer. [ 1 ]

GAVEL meaning: 1. a small hammer that an official in charge of a meeting hits against a wooden block or table to…. Learn more.

The meaning of GAVEL is rent or tribute in medieval England. How to use gavel in a sentence.

You know that wooden hammer a judge slams down on his desk when he's trying to bring order to the court? That's a gavel. Judges aren't the only ones who use gavels. They are common in …

A gavel is a small wooden hammer that the person in charge of a law court, an auction, or a meeting bangs on a table to get people's attention.

1. a small mallet used esp. by the presiding officer of a meeting or a judge usu. to signal for attention or order. 2. a similar mallet used by an auctioneer to indicate acceptance of the final bid. 3. to begin or put into effect by striking a gavel: to gavel the …

GAVEL meaning: a small hammer that someone (such as a judge) bangs on a table to get people's attention in a meeting or in a court of law

to begin or put into effect (a legislative session, motion, etc.) by striking a gavel.

To strike with or as with a gavel. To cause (a meeting) to end, be in order, etc. by striking a gavel. Old French gavelle, French javelle, probably diminutive from Latin capulus (“handle”), from capere (“to lay hold of, seize”); or compare Welsh gafael (“hold, grasp”). Compare heave. Origin obscure.

Definition of gavel noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.