nozzle

noun

noz·​zle ˈnä-zəl 

1

a

: a projecting vent of something

b

: a short tube with a taper or constriction used (as on a hose) to speed up or direct a flow of fluid

c

: a part in a rocket engine that accelerates the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber to a high velocity

2

slang : nose

Synonyms

• beak
• conk [chiefly British slang]
• honker [slang]
• neb
• nose
• proboscis
• schnoz [slang]
• schnozz
• schnozzle [slang]
• smeller
• snoot
• snout

Examples of nozzle in a Sentence

in this classic film noir, a private eye gets his nozzle sliced when he starts poking it into places where it's not welcome

Recent Examples on the Web

This gadget has a few different pressure controls and self-cleaning dual nozzles that are guaranteed to blow your mind. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024

The accordion-looking sheath that covers most of the actual metal nozzle at most California gas stations exists to trap gas vapor from escaping your car’s gas tank while refueling, and they’re called vapor recovery systems. —Logan Carter / Jalopnik, Quartz, 21 June 2024

This kit has six nozzles with 35 balloons on each, which fill in as little as 60 seconds. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 14 June 2024

Step up your blow-drying sessions with this Conair classic featuring two attachments (a diffuser and a smoothing nozzle) for nearly endless styling options. —Sarah Han, Allure, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

diminutive of nose

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

nozzle

noun

noz·​zle ˈnäz-əl 

: a short tube that narrows in the middle or toward one end and is often used (as on a hose or pipe) to direct or speed up a flow of fluid