gable

noun

ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl How to pronounce gable (audio)
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 adjective

Illustration of gable

Illustration of gable
  • 1 gable 1a

Examples of gable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The resort appears as a dramatic neo-gothic castle with its turrets and gables perched on a hill overlooking Lake St Moritz. Jim Dobson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Each new temple is a near-copy of the original Crown Heights mansion: three gables, a central bay window, reddish brick. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 Complete with steep gables, crystal chandeliers, grand pianos, and antique furniture—not to mention its 1920s ballroom, dining room, and sun porch—this spot makes an elegant pick for any wedding. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2024 Its imposing façade, some of which is covered in wisteria, has ornate gables and tall chimneys, along with some traditional Jersey-style architectural elements such as an elaborate doorway with medieval-style buttressing. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2023 The majority of Tudor exteriors are brick, but they're accented (often in those triangular gables) with decorative half-timbering: essentially a mock frame of thin boards filled in with stucco or stone. Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, 30 June 2023 To finish gable ends, trim the gables with J-channel, cut each length of siding to match the slope of the roof, and nail the siding in place. Merle Henkenius, Popular Mechanics, 2 May 2023 Thoughtful touches reinforce the hotel’s Amsterdam origins – headboards shaped like the ubiquitous gables of city houses, complimentary puncture repair kits essential for any cycle tour, a pack of stroopwafels to sate sudden unexplained cravings. Duncan Madden, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023 The blow caused wood to splinter and left giant holes where gables and butter-yellow siding had been, while setting off a sprinkler system that flooded the interior. Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near gable

Cite this Entry

“Gable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gable

noun
ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl How to pronounce gable (audio)
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 adjective

Biographical Definition

Gable

biographical name

Ga·​ble ˈgā-bəl How to pronounce Gable (audio)
(William) Clark 1901–1960 American actor

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