Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

gibbet

Noun

/ˈdʒɪbɪt/

Definition

A structure used for hanging the bodies of executed criminals as a warning to others.

Examples

In the past, a gibbet would often be seen by travelers on the road, a grim reminder of the law’s consequences.
The notorious pirate was hanged and left on a gibbet for all to see, serving as a deterrent against piracy.

Meaning

Historically, a gibbet refers to a framework or post on which a body or a skeleton is displayed after execution, often placed in public view to deter crime.