dowel

[ dou-uhl ]

noun

1. Also called dowel pin. Carpentry. a pin, usually round, fitting into holes in two adjacent pieces to prevent their slipping or to align them.
2. a piece of wood driven into a hole drilled in a masonry wall to receive nails, as for fastening woodwork.
3. a round wooden rod of relatively small diameter.
4. Dentistry. a peg, usually of metal, set into the root canal of a natural tooth to give additional support to an artificial crown.

verb (used with object)

, dow·eled, dow·el·ing or (especially British) dow·elled, dow·el·ling.

1. to reinforce or furnish with a dowel or dowels.

dowel

/ ˈdaʊəl /

noun

1. a wooden or metal peg that fits into two corresponding holes to join two adjacent parts Also calleddowel pin

Other Words From

• un·doweled especially British, un·dowelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowel¹

1300–50; Middle English dowle < Middle Low German dovel plug; compare German Döbel, Dübel, Old High German tubili

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowel¹

C14: from Middle Low German dövel plug, from Old High German tubili; related to Greek thuphos wedge

Example Sentences

At night, Roberts’ mother frequently beat him with a dowel.

From Los Angeles Times

The first, Spherae, is a ball-shaped cushion supported by three polished wood dowels that slide through a brass disc and lock into place.

From New York Times

By the time she folds it shut with a long wooden dowel, the flatbread is already bubbly and browned.

From Washington Times

A thin slab will be cut in the stone blocks that make up the staircase, and the portrait will be fitted in and secured with stainless steel dowels.

From Seattle Times

The wall panels fit together with dowels, sort of like Ikea furniture, Ward added.

From Seattle Times