muzzle

[muhz-uhl]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle¹

C15 mosel, from Old French musel, diminutive of muse snout, from Medieval Latin mūsus, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

A brown foal with a white stripe on its muzzle teetered on toothpick legs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Its muzzle taped, Mr Kitson bit the dog's ear, suggesting this was punishment for the dog having bitten his child.

Read more on BBC

“I know that’s not as interesting as muzzling a comedian, but it’s so important to have a free press, and it is nuts that we aren’t paying more attention to it.”

Read more on Salon

The crackdown on civil society ramped up further following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and punitive new laws leading to mass arrests have muzzled any opposition.

Read more on BBC

It ebbs around an elk’s skull, five-point antlers still attached, and a muzzle loader hanging on the wall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• censor 
• choke 
• clamp down on 
• crack down on www.thesaurus.com
• muffle 
• repress 
• restrain 
• squelch 
• stifle 
• suppress