gag

¹

[gag]

verb (used with object)

gagged, gagging 

1. to stop up the mouth of (a person) by putting something in it, thus preventing speech, shouts, etc.

2. to restrain by force or authority from freedom of speech; silence.

   Synonyms: suppress, stifle, curb

3. to fasten open the jaws of, as in surgical operations.

4. to cause to retch or choke.

5. Metalworking.,  to straighten or bend (a bar, rail, etc.) with a gag.

verb (used without object)

gagged, gagging 

1. to retch or choke.

noun

1. something put into a person's mouth to prevent speech, shouting, etc.

2. any forced or arbitrary suppression of freedom of speech.

3. a surgical instrument for holding the jaws open.

4. Metalworking.,  a shaped block of steel used with a press to straighten or bend a bar, rail, etc.

gag

²

[gag]

noun

1. a joke, especially one introduced into a script or an actor's part.

2. any contrived piece of wordplay or horseplay.

verb (used without object)

gagged, gagging 

1. to tell jokes or make amusing remarks.

2. to introduce gags in acting.

3. to play on another's credulity, as by telling false stories.

verb (used with object)

gagged, gagging 

1. to introduce usually comic interpolations into (a script, an actor's part, or the like) (usually followed byup ).

gag

³

[gag]

noun

plural

gag ,

plural

gags .

1. a serranid game fish, Mycteroperca microlepsis, found along the southeastern coast of the United States.

2. any of several related fishes.

gag

¹

/ ɡæɡ /

verb

1. (tr) to stop up (a person's mouth), esp with a piece of cloth, etc, to prevent him or her from speaking or crying out

2. (tr) to suppress or censor (free expression, information, etc)

3. to retch or cause to retch

4. (intr) to struggle for breath; choke

5. (tr) to hold (the jaws) of (a person or animal) apart with a surgical gag

6. (tr) to apply a gag-bit to (a horse)

7. slang,  to be very eager to have or do something

noun

1. a piece of cloth, rope, etc, stuffed into or tied across the mouth

2. any restraint on or suppression of information, free speech, etc

3. a surgical device for keeping the jaws apart, as during a tonsillectomy

4. parliamentary procedure another word for closure

gag

²

/ ɡæɡ /

noun

1. a joke or humorous story, esp one told by a professional comedian

2. a hoax, practical joke, etc

   he did it for a gag

verb

1. (intr) to tell jokes or funny stories, as comedians in nightclubs, etc

2. (often foll by up) theatre

   1. to interpolate lines or business not in the actor's stage part, usually comic and improvised

   2. to perform a stage jest, either spoken or based on movement

Word History and Origins

Origin of gag¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English gaggen “to strangle, suffocate”; perhaps imitative of the sound made in choking; compare Old Norse adjective gag-háls “with the neck thrown back”

Origin of gag²

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps special use of gag ¹

Origin of gag³

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gag¹

C15 gaggen ; perhaps imitative of a gasping sound

Origin of gag²

C19: perhaps special use of _gag ¹

Example Sentences

Millions of viewers now watch monologues and other late night gags the following day on YouTube, which means networks that produce the shows have lost valuable revenue because Google controls much of that advertising.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I can’t say if that visual gag is on purpose, but there’s an awful lot of German names in here for a movie that takes place in Connecticut.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After covering his eyes with a blindfold, gagging him with a sock and taping his mouth shut, the suspect dragged the man to a car, threatening to put him in the trunk.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One of the earliest gags in the show comes when a customer asks for micro braids and the stylists suddenly pretend they are unavailable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s a gag that’s funny five times and trite by the sixth, only to round back toward something warm and amiable by the final time it appears.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• hoax 
• quip 
• ruse 
• trick 
• wisecrack