gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

a

: the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge

b

: the similar end of a gambrel roof

c

: the end wall of a building

2

: a triangular part or structure

gabled

ˈgā-bəld 

adjective

Illustration of gable

• 1 gable 1a

Examples of gable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The glass-and-steel roof soared above the platforms, and the interior gable was illuminated by a giant neon advertisement for 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser, the original eau de cologne, a scent dating to the late eighteenth century and the source of the city’s association with fragrance. —John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024

An alternate bid was accepted for North Carroll Middle, which McCabe said includes the installation of metal wall panels at the gables and increased the project’s cost by $59,400. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024

In keeping with the style, the home has a brick facade with multiple overlapping gables of varying heights. —Lauren Beale, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Orange City plays up its Dutch roots with decorative windmills, Dutch-style gables on storefronts, and an annual tulip festival in May. —Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

Note: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing gable

• gable roof

Kids Definition

gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

1

: the triangular part of an outside wall of a building that is formed by the sides of the roof sloping down from the ridgepole to the eaves

2

: a triangular structure (as over a door or window)

gabled

-bəld 

adjective

Biographical Definition

Gable

biographical name

Ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl 

(William) Clark 1901–1960 American actor