Gavel
noun
A hammer used by a person in charge of meeting or auction to get people's attention.
The judge pounded his gavel and demanded order in the court.
Often appears as...
- pound the gavel
- pass the gavel
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To use a gavel to signal the start or end of a meeting or auction or to get people's attention.
The auctioneer gavelled and started the bidding for the next item.
Often appears as...
- gavel down
- gavel in a session
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A hammer used by a person in charge of meeting or auction to get people's attention.
The judge pounded his gavel and demanded order in the court.
Often appears as...
- pound the gavel
- pass the gavel
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To use a gavel to signal the start or end of a meeting or auction or to get people's attention.
The auctioneer gavelled and started the bidding for the next item.
Often appears as...
- gavel down
- gavel in a session
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Symbol
The gavel represents authority and control within meetings, especially in legal settings.
When the chairperson raised the gavel, everyone fell silent.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Use
The word gavel can be used metaphorically to mean 'final decision' or 'authority'.
The board has the gavel on all investment decisions.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Gavels are strongly associated with US legal systems and may not be used in other countries.
He was intrigued by the judge's gavel, a symbol he'd seen only in American films.
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Symbol
The gavel represents authority and control within meetings, especially in legal settings.
When the chairperson raised the gavel, everyone fell silent.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Use
The word gavel can be used metaphorically to mean 'final decision' or 'authority'.
The board has the gavel on all investment decisions.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Gavels are strongly associated with US legal systems and may not be used in other countries.
He was intrigued by the judge's gavel, a symbol he'd seen only in American films.
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Symbol
The gavel represents authority and control within meetings, especially in legal settings.
When the chairperson raised the gavel, everyone fell silent.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Use
The word gavel can be used metaphorically to mean 'final decision' or 'authority'.
The board has the gavel on all investment decisions.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Significance
Gavels are strongly associated with US legal systems and may not be used in other countries.
He was intrigued by the judge's gavel, a symbol he'd seen only in American films.
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Video examples
We need to green the...
mean i think i think i think the world has a responsibility to um do the best job it can to prevent catastrophic climate change and that feeling of collective responsibility was very much in the room in paris when the gavel came down it was a sense that actually collectively we had risen to our better we were being our better
Video examples
We need women in...
wasn't I said may I bring my grandchildren with me too to accept the gavel and they said we're not sure that the rules allow that and I said well who's in charge of the rules
Video examples
We need to green the...
mean i think i think i think the world has a responsibility to um do the best job it can to prevent catastrophic climate change and that feeling of collective responsibility was very much in the room in paris when the gavel came down it was a sense that actually collectively we had risen to our better we were being our better
Video examples
We need women in...
wasn't I said may I bring my grandchildren with me too to accept the gavel and they said we're not sure that the rules allow that and I said well who's in charge of the rules
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Lil Wayne
American Rapper
Don't judge me. You wanna judge me, put on a black gown and get a gavel. Get in line with the rest of them that's about to judge me. I got court dates every other month. It's me against the world - that's how I feel.
Quote examples
Brian Lamb
American Businessman
From the beginning, we promised folks that they'll see whatever event we cover in its entirety, from gavel to gavel - whether it's the House of Representatives or the Senate. That's the whole reason for being.
Quote examples
Dan Quayle
American Vice President
The thing is, if you control the Senate meetings, you control the gavel. And the gavel is a very important instrument... an instrument of power. An instrument that establishes the agenda.
Quote examples
Catherine Crier
American Journalist
I loved being a judge, and sometimes I miss the power of the gavel, but this is a lot more fun.
Quote examples
Alexander Gilkes
British Businessman
I am never without my gavel, which I bought from an antique shop in Burford, in the Cotswolds.
Quote examples
Alexander Gilkes
British Businessman
I always have my lucky gavel in case I have to do an auction on short notice.
Quote examples
Lil Wayne
American Rapper
Don't judge me. You wanna judge me, put on a black gown and get a gavel. Get in line with the rest of them that's about to judge me. I got court dates every other month. It's me against the world - that's how I feel.
Quote examples
Brian Lamb
American Businessman
From the beginning, we promised folks that they'll see whatever event we cover in its entirety, from gavel to gavel - whether it's the House of Representatives or the Senate. That's the whole reason for being.
Quote examples
Dan Quayle
American Vice President
The thing is, if you control the Senate meetings, you control the gavel. And the gavel is a very important instrument... an instrument of power. An instrument that establishes the agenda.
Quote examples
Catherine Crier
American Journalist
I loved being a judge, and sometimes I miss the power of the gavel, but this is a lot more fun.
Quote examples
Alexander Gilkes
British Businessman
I am never without my gavel, which I bought from an antique shop in Burford, in the Cotswolds.
Quote examples
Alexander Gilkes
British Businessman
I always have my lucky gavel in case I have to do an auction on short notice.
Example 1 of 6
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