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Definition of mallet

mallet

/ˈmæl.ɪt/
mal · let

Plural:mallets
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mallet Lexical Profile

mallet Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A hand tool resembling a hammer but with a large, typically wooden or rubber head, used for driving chisels or striking surfaces without damaging them.

Example

"The carpenter used a wooden mallet to gently tap the joints of the cabinet into place."


2

A long-handled stick with a cylindrical head set at a right angle, used for striking the ball in sports such as croquet or polo.

Example

"She swung her polo mallet with precision, sending the ball straight toward the goal."


3

A light drumstick with a rounded, padded, or specialized head, used to play percussion instruments like the marimba, vibraphone, or timpani.

Example

"The percussionist quickly switched to a softer yarn mallet for the delicate marimba solo."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mallet

• Rhymes for mallet

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'malet', borrowed from Old French 'maillet', a diminutive of 'mail' (hammer), which traces back to the Latin 'malleus' (hammer).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mallet. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mallet
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