: a mallet used (as by a presiding officer or auctioneer) for commanding attention or confirming an action (such as a vote or sale)
gaveled or gavelled; gaveling or gavelling
ˈga-v(ə-)liŋ 
: 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
The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
If the Republicans hold the House, Speaker Mike Johnson will likely retain that gavel.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 2 Nov. 2024
Peter Sullivan, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
If Dems win the majority & I stay on the subcommittee, we’d all get gavels.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gavel 
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
Control of the House is also up for grabs, and political observers of all stripes will be watching with anxious anticipation for early signs Tuesday of which party will hold the gavel in the next Congress.
—The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
If the Republicans hold the House, Speaker Mike Johnson will likely retain that gavel.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
Guthrie is seeking to chair the full committee, but could move to keep the Health subcommittee gavel if that bid fails.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
If Dems win the majority & I stay on the subcommittee, we’d all get gavels.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gavel
Articles Related to gavel
Dictionary Entries Near gavel
Cite this Entry
“Gavel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gavel. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share