The small hammer that a judge uses to maintain order in the courtroom is called a gavel. It is typically made of wood and paired with a base on which it can be hit. The gavel is used to call for attention or to punctuate rulings and proclamations and is a symbol of the authority and right to act officially in the capacity of a presiding officer. However, contrary to popular belief, judges dont use gavels all that often. Theyre more likely to use their voices to quiet a room. In fact, outside of the U.S., gavels are nearly absent altogether. Many judges do receive gavels as gifts for special occasions or to recognize accomplishments, but few actually use them.