Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge: A "gavel" is a small ceremonial hammer. It is used by a person in authority, such as a judge, a meeting chairperson, or an auctioneer, to signal for attention, call for order, or mark the beginning or end of a proceeding.

Usage

• The primary use of a gavel is in formal settings to command attention and maintain order.
• It is struck against a sound block to produce a sharp noise.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The judge used her gavel to quiet the noisy courtroom.
  • The auctioneer banged the gavel to signify the sale was final.
  • The committee chair called the meeting to order with a strike of the gavel.

Advanced Usage

• "to gavel (something) through": To approve or conclude something quickly or with minimal discussion, often by using the gavel as a symbolic act.
  • The motion was gaveled through before any objections could be raised.
• "to gavel (a meeting) to order/closed": To officially start or end a formal meeting using the gavel.
  • The speaker gaveled the convention to a close.

Variants and Related Words

• Gavel-to-gavel (adj): Covering an event from its beginning to its end.
  • The network provided gavel-to-gavel coverage of the political convention.

Synonyms

• Mallet: A hammer with a large head, typically of wood. (Note: A "mallet" is a general tool, while a "gavel" is a specific type of mallet used for ceremonial authority.)
• Hammer: A tool for driving nails or breaking objects. (This is a broader, more general term.)

Idioms and Phrases

• "Under the gavel": Being sold at an auction.
  • The rare painting will go under the gavel next week.
• "To bring down the gavel": To make a final, authoritative decision or declaration.
  • The mayor brought down the gavel on the proposed legislation.

Noun

1. a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge