bridle

1 of 2

noun

bri·​dle ˈbrī-dᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)
1
: the headgear with which a horse is governed and which carries a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) and reins
2
: a length of line or cable attached to two parts of something (such as a ship) to spread the force of a pull
especially : rigging on a kite for attaching line
3
: curb, restraint
set a bridle on his power

bridle

2 of 2

verb

bridled; bridling ˈbrīd-liŋ How to pronounce bridle (audio)
ˈbrī-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to put a harness with which a horse is governed on the head of : to put a bridle (see bridle entry 1 sense 1) on
bridle a horse
2
: to restrain, check, or control with or as if with a bridle
bridle your tongue
was forced to bridle her anger

intransitive verb

: to show hostility or resentment (as to an affront to one's pride or dignity) especially by drawing back the head and chin
military commanders who had bridled against … interferenceTime
Choose the Right Synonym for bridle

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of bridle in a Sentence

Verb try to bridle your criticism next time so that it is helpful and not hurtful
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Like the teeth of many modern and ancient ridden horses, the Botai horse teeth appeared to have been worn down by a bridle mouthpiece, or bit. William Taylor, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024 Taylor disagrees, arguing that ancient saddles and bridles previously discovered near the hoof bolster his interpretation. science.org, 23 July 2024
Verb
Part of it was Li Na herself, who had bridled under and then broken away from the state system, which traditionally controlled the tournaments its players participated in, and obligated a player to commit a large percentage of professional earnings to the government. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024 In a workplace, they’re expected to be helpmeets while also being held up as tokens of acceptance, a dynamic the characters bridle against and use to their advantage. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for bridle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bridle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel; akin to Old English bregdan to move quickly — more at braid

Verb

Middle English bridlen, going back to Old English brīdlian, verbal derivative of brīdel bridle entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bridle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bridle

Cite this Entry

“Bridle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bridle. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

bridle

1 of 2 noun
bri·​dle ˈbrīd-ᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)
1
: a device for controlling a horse made up of a set of straps enclosing the head, a bit, and a pair of reins
2
: something that works or is used like a bridle
3
: restraint sense 2
set a bridle on his power

bridle

2 of 2 verb
bridled; bridling ˈbrīd-liŋ How to pronounce bridle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to put a bridle on
2
: to hold back with or as if with a bridle
bridled her anger
3
: to hold the head high and draw in the chin as a show of resentment
bridle at criticism

Medical Definition

bridle

noun
bri·​dle ˈbrīd-ᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on bridle

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