muzzle

1 of 2

noun

muz·​zle ˈmə-zəl How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
Synonyms of muzzlenext
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

Illustration of muzzle
  • muzzle 2a

muzzle

2 of 2

verb

muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-liŋ How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
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 How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Talley also argued that home surveillance video also indicated there was no muzzle flash, which was also consistent with an accidental misfire. — Hetty Chang, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025 If a pet requires a muzzle, it must be placed on the animal before entering the clinic, the release said. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Even the sweetest pet has the potential to bite when injured and scared so before administering any care, try to muzzle and properly restrain the animal. — Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025 History is full of tragic situations where political and religious leaders have tried to muzzle and persecute scientists. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muzzle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of muzzle was in the 15th century

Rhymes for muzzle

See All Rhymes for muzzle

Browse Nearby Words

muzz
muzzle
muzzlebag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Muzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muzzle. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun
muz·​zle ˈməz-əl How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
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 How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
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 How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
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 How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
: to fit with a muzzle

More from Merriam-Webster on muzzle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for muzzle

Nglish: Translation of muzzle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All