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

The spot begins with a domestic squabble over a can with an aerosol nozzle. —The New York Times, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Hold it with thumb at the bottom of plunger and index/middle fingers on nozzle. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Attachments and Accessories Brown says that in general, most carpet cleaners will come with a spray nozzle for treating stains or applying cleaning solutions. —Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2025

The resulting mixture is sprayed through a nozzle, which evaporates the solvent leaving spherical particles behind that are then electrochemically treated the same way as the ground char. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 13 Dec. 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