1. A Tool: A mallet is a tool with a head made of rubber, wood, or plastic attached to a handle. It is used for striking objects to drive them into place, shape them, or break them.
* Examples: A rubber mallet is used to install drywall, a wooden mallet for driving chisels, and a plastic mallet for breaking up concrete.
2. A Musical Instrument: A mallet is also a small, rounded hammer used to strike the bars of a xylophone, glockenspiel, or vibraphone to produce sound.
* Examples: Different sizes and materials of mallets are used to achieve different timbres and volumes in these instruments.
So, the meaning of "mallet" depends on the context. It can be a tool for striking or a musical instrument used for hitting bars.