rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymalletStriking tool
noun

mallet

MAL-it/ˈmælɪt/

A hammerlike tool with a large head for striking.

A wooden mallet has a broad head for striking a chisel.

A large wooden mallet with broad cylindrical head beside a woodworking chisel.
Etymology
mallLatinhammer
+etOld Frenchsmall

The diminutive makes this a “small hammer,” originally a wooden one chiefly used to drive another tool. Its smallness contrasts with the heavier, two-handed maul.

In context

New York Studio School53:09
we're gonna take a mallet right and we're gonna beat you and in fact the mallet shatters
Frederick Ilchman on Tintoretto | New York Studio School

More examples

  • She taps the tiles into place with a rubber mallet.
  • We use a mallet to drive the tent stakes into the ground.
  • The carpenter keeps two wooden mallets on the workbench.

Forms

mallet · mallets

Similar words

hammer
Usually has a smaller metal head, often for driving nails.
maul
A heavier striking tool, often used for splitting wood.