muzzle

American  

[muhz-uhl] / ˈmʌz əl /

noun

1. the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.

2. the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.

3. a device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc.

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verb (used with object)

muzzled, muzzling

1. to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.

2. to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc..

   The censors muzzled the press.

   Synonyms:

   suppress, still, quiet, silence

3. Nautical. to attach the cable to the stock of (an anchor) by means of a light line to permit the anchor to be pulled loose readily.

muzzle British  

/ ˈmʌzəl /

noun

1. the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse

2. a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating

3. the front end of a gun barrel

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verb

1. to prevent from being heard or noticed

   to muzzle the press

2. to put a muzzle on (an animal)

3. to take in (a sail)

Other Word Forms

• muzzler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of muzzle

1350–1400; Middle English musel < Middle French < Medieval Latin mūsellum, diminutive of mūsum snout < ?

Explanation

A muzzle is a guard that covers an animal's mouth to keep it from biting. If your dog is aggressive, you might have to put a muzzle on her when you take her to the dog park. Muzzle comes from the Latin morsus meaning "bite." A muzzle is the nose and mouth of an animal like a cat or dog. It's also the name for a guard made of straps or wire that's worn over this part of an animal's face to keep it from biting. It's the mouth of a gun, too. If you muzzle someone, you gag him to prevent him from speaking.

Example Sentences

Muzzle flashes and sounds are added in post-production.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2023

“The 58 caliber is about 30-foot long. It has a bigger chamber, which allows for a different propellant and different breech. Muzzle velocity is generated through the length of the tube,” Rafferty said.

From Fox News • May 28, 2020

Ever since hearing about Silver Muzzle Cottage, Hanson calls Skarritt whenever one of these old dogs comes into the animal shelter.

From Washington Times • May 1, 2017

Muzzle of a musk ox infected with parapoxvirus.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

Muzzle to be short, broad, and turned upwards.

From A Manual of Toy Dogs How to breed, rear, and feed them by Williams, Mrs. Leslie

Related Words

• censor
• choke
• clamp down on
• crack down on
• muffle
• repress
• restrain
• squelch
• stifle
• suppress