bridle

[ brahyd-l ]

/ ˈbraɪd l /

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See synonyms for: bridle / bridled / bridling on Thesaurus.com

noun

part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.

anything that restrains or curbs: His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.

Machinery. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.

Nautical. a rope or chain secured at both ends to an object to be held, lifted, or towed, and itself held or lifted by a rope or chain secured at its center.

a raising up of the head, as in disdain.

verb (used with object), bri·dled, bri·dling.

to put a bridle on.

to control or hold back; restrain; curb.

verb (used without object), bri·dled, bri·dling.

to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.

OTHER WORDS FOR bridle

2 governor.

2, 7 check.

7 govern, constrain, inhibit, restrict, limit.

8 bristle.

See synonyms for bridle on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of bridle

before 900; Middle English bridel, Old English brīdel for brigdels, equivalent to brigd- (variant stem of bregdan to braid) + -els noun suffix; akin to Dutch breidel, Old High German brittel

OTHER WORDS FROM bridle

bri·dle·less, adjectivebridler, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bridle

bridal, bridle

Words nearby bridle

bridging shot, Bridgman, bridgmanite, Bridgwater, Bridie, bridle, bridle hand, bridle joint, bridle path, bridlewise, bridoon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bridle in a sentence

The device uses a hand pump and tubing attached to the horse’s bridle to spray medicine near its nose.
How to turn your hobby into a seriously cool science project|Maria Temming|November 2, 2022|Science News For Students
The man’s grave included a leather bridle, a wooden horse bit and a battle ax.
The earliest known pants are surprisingly modern — and comfy|Bruce Bower|March 21, 2022|Science News For Students
A leather bridle, wooden horse bit and battle-ax that had been placed in his grave indicated he had been a horse-riding warrior.
The world’s oldest pants stitched together cultures from across Asia|Bruce Bower|February 18, 2022|Science News
It has backpack straps and a couple well-placed pockets that hold smaller items, and it’s made from 600-denier ballistic nylon with bridle leather accents, giving it that classic Filson build quality that will last forever.
Our Favorite New Men’s Fall Apparel and Accessories|kklein|November 21, 2021|Outside Online

If that’s the case, Drake’s track “7 am on Bridle Path” might be the closest thing to a confirmation of the rift that fans will get.
What to Know About Drake's New Album Certified Lover Boy, From Its Controversial Cover Art to That R. Kelly Credit|Cady Lang|September 3, 2021|Time
Israelis may bridle at the vision of a Palestinian state which looks like militias riding in on Jeeps and firing-off rifles.
The West Bank Through Chinese Eyes|Bernard Avishai|March 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Bridle printed two years' worth of posts in a book, My Life in Tweets, through a self-publishing service.
Twitterature|Isabel Wilkinson|April 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The retelling developed quite a following, Bridle not included.
Twitterature|Isabel Wilkinson|April 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"I call you," the policeman said, and stripping the saddle and bridle from his sweaty horse, turned him loose to graze.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
While the boy stood valiantly holding the bridle, an old Negro came up and pulled his sleeve.
A Lost Hero|Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward and Herbert D. Ward
For my name's sake I will remove my wrath far off: and for my praise I will bridle thee, lest thou shouldst perish.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
A moment later the road led up a hill-side, and at the summit she caught his bridle and reined in.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Pulling the saddle loose, he cast it aside; then he removed the bridle and threw it after the saddle.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for bridle

bridle

/ (ˈbraɪdəl) /

noun

a headgear for a horse, etc, consisting of a series of buckled straps and a metal mouthpiece (bit) by which the animal is controlled through the reins

something that curbs or restrains; check

a Y-shaped cable, rope, or chain, used for holding, towing, etc

machinery a device by which the motion of a component is limited, often in the form of a linkage or flange

verb

(tr) to put a bridle on (a horse, mule, etc)

(intr) (of a horse) to respond correctly to the pull of the reins

(tr) to restrain; curbhe bridled his rage

(intr often foll by at) to show anger, scorn, or indignation

Derived forms of bridle

bridler, noun

Word Origin for bridle

Old English brigdels; related to bregdan to braid 1, Old High German brittil, Middle Low German breidel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bridle

OTHER WORDS FOR bridle

Origin of bridle

OTHER WORDS FROM bridle

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bridle

Words nearby bridle

Words related to bridle

How to use bridle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bridle

Derived forms of bridle

Word Origin for bridle