1
a
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially
: the offspring of a male donkey and a mare
b
: a self-sterile plant whether hybrid or not
c
: a usually sterile hybrid
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine for simultaneously drawing and twisting fiber into yarn or thread and winding it into cops
4
slang
: a person who smuggles or delivers illicit substances (such as drugs)
variants
or less commonly Mule
plural mules also Mules
: moscow mule
The marvelous take on a classic mule swaps ginger beer for ginger kombucha … for a crisp, fresh-tasting award-worthy cocktail …—
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PR NewswireExamples of mule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
There are mules and slingbacks with wearable heels that will last the night on the dancefloor.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
From Crying Over Ice to ‘Bucket Brigades’: Inside Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in North Carolina
In the immediate days after the storm last month, some first responders resorted to delivering supplies via mules, due to the mountainous topography and relative inaccessibility of the region.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024
Their Aura collection showcases items like their Ridgemont blazer, their off-shoulder Velodrome dress and their Austin mules.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mule 
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Noun
Most canvas wall tents this large require transport by truck or pack mule.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
There are mules and slingbacks with wearable heels that will last the night on the dancefloor.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
From Crying Over Ice to ‘Bucket Brigades’: Inside Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in North Carolina
In the immediate days after the storm last month, some first responders resorted to delivering supplies via mules, due to the mountainous topography and relative inaccessibility of the region.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024
Their Aura collection showcases items like their Ridgemont blazer, their off-shoulder Velodrome dress and their Austin mules.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mule
Dictionary Entries Near mule
Cite this Entry
“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mule
1 of 2 noun1
: the hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey
especially
: the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine that draws and twists fiber into yarn or thread and winds it onto spindles
mule
2 of 2 noun
: a shoe or slipper that is open at the heel
Etymology
Noun
Middle English mule "the offspring of a donkey and a horse," from early French mul (same meaning), from Latin multus (same meaning)
Noun
from early French mule "slipper," from mulleus "a shoe worn by public officials"
Medical Definition
mule
noun
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially
: the offspring of a male donkey and a mare
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