gavel

Everyday

A small wooden hammer that a judge, auctioneer or chairperson bangs to get attention, keep order or show that something is decided or sold. tree →

In the lessons

A law, court and auction word. In US courts a judge bangs a gavel; in British courts judges do not actually use gavels, but auctioneers do. «Going, going, gone!» — bang of the gavel — means sold. In Alice in Wonderland the King of Hearts is the judge at the trial of the Knave, though Carroll's court is noisy and silly.

Examples

• The judge banged the gavel and shouted, «Order in court!» tree →
• The auctioneer struck the gavel: «Sold to the lady in red!» tree →
• Our class president used a gavel to start the meeting. tree →
• The gavel came down and the painting was sold. tree →
• In the school mock trial, Tom held the gavel. tree →
• The chairwoman tapped her gavel for silence. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced GAV-ul. Myth: English judges don't use gavels — that is mostly American and on TV. «The gavel came down» means a decision was made.