It is used in a similar way as the English word "lot" in expressions like:
* "A kavel fun land" (A lot of land)
* "Er hot gekavel't a shtikel land" (He bought a piece of land)
However, there is no direct equivalent for "gavel" in Yiddish.
If you're thinking of an auctioneer's gavel, the Yiddish term would likely be "hammer" (meaning hammer).
Let me know if you have any other Yiddish words you'd like me to explain!