noun / verb

gavel

GAV-ul/ˈɡævl/

A small mallet used to direct proceedings, or its use for that purpose.

The judge holds the wooden gavel just above its round sounding block.

A close, clearly readable view of a small wooden gavel and its round sounding block on a presiding judge’s bench, with the judge holding the gavel just above the block.

Etymology

The word is recorded in American English for a presiding officer’s mallet, but its origin is unknown. A suggested connection with masons’ tools through freemasonry remains uncertain.

In context

City of Durham NC 242:47

I'm going to declare uh this meeting adjourned at 11 11:01 p.m. last time I hit the gavel

Durham City Council Meeting Nov. 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. (Live Stream)

More examples

The judge sets the gavel beside her notes.
The committee chair gavels the session closed.
The chair gaveled the noisy delegates back to order.

Forms

gavel · gavels · gaveled · gaveling

Similar words

mallet: A broader term for a hammer with a large, blunt head.
hammer: Usually a tool for driving nails, not directing proceedings.