muzzle

1 of 2

noun

muz·​zle ˈmə-zəl 

1

: the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout

2

a

: a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting

b

: something (such as censorship) that restrains normal expression

3

: the open end of an implement

especially : the discharging end of a weapon

Illustration of muzzle

• muzzle 2a

muzzle

2 of 2

verb

muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-liŋ 

ˈmə-zə-

transitive verb

1

: to fit with a muzzle

2

a

: gag

muzzled the regime's critics

b

: restrain, restrict

the Pentagon's efforts to muzzle press access

—Joe Strupp

the low prices muzzled competition

muzzler

ˈməz-lər 

ˈmə-zə-

noun

Examples of muzzle in a Sentence

Verb

a dangerous dog that should be muzzled

attempts by the government to muzzle the press

The company has tried to muzzle its employees by forbidding them to speak to the press.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There is no obvious muzzle flash and no sound, only figures appearing to scatter at the same time. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

Then, on September 15th, as the former President was playing a round of golf at his club in West Palm Beach, a Secret Service agent patrolling the grounds spotted the muzzle of a rifle poking out of the shrubbery along a chain-link fence. —Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024

Verb

The landslide victory comes months after the runner-up, who is recognizable from his low-hanging belly and muzzle scar, killed one of Grazer’s cubs this summer. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Attempt to escape or fight back and concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear's face and muzzle. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mosel, from Middle French musel, from Old French *mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun

muz·​zle ˈməz-əl 

1

: the nose and jaws of an animal : snout

2

: a covering for the mouth and jaws of an animal used to keep it from eating or biting

3

: the open end of a weapon from which the missile is fired

muzzle

2 of 2 verb

muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to put a muzzle on

2

: to prevent free or normal expression by : gag

the dictator muzzled the press

Medical Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun

muz·​zle ˈməz-əl 

1

: the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout

2

: a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting

muzzle

2 of 2 transitive verb

muzzled; muzzling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to fit with a muzzle