mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈma-lət 

: a hammer with a typically barrel-shaped head: such as

a

: a tool with a large head for driving another tool or for striking a surface without marring it

b

: a long-handled wooden implement used for striking a ball (as in polo or croquet)

c

: a light hammer with a small rounded or spherical usually padded head used in playing certain musical instruments (such as a vibraphone)

Examples of mallet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The large targets and sturdy wooden mallets make the game less frustrating for them. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2024

Regular drummer Chad Gamble was joined by utility player/second drummer Will Johnson for a lot of pounding with mallets to complement the guitar racket. —Chris Willman, Variety, 24 July 2024

The mallet dropped again on Thursday when the Democratic governor of the state with the nation’s largest homeless population ordered officials to begin dismantling thousands of encampments. —Ray Sanchez and Stephanie Becker, CNN, 28 July 2024

The clip eventually shows Joker holding a mallet and using it to smash the judge's head. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maillet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of mail hammer — more at maul

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mallet

noun

mal·​let ˈmal-ət 

: a hammer usually with a barrel-shaped head: as

a

: one with a large head used for driving a tool (as a chisel) or for striking a surface without damaging it

b

: a club for striking a ball (as in croquet or polo)