muzzle
Americannoun
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the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.
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the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.
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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)
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to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.
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to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc..
The censors muzzled the press.
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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.
noun
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the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse
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a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating
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the front end of a gun barrel
verb
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to prevent from being heard or noticed
to muzzle the press
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to put a muzzle on (an animal)
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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.
Vocabulary lists containing muzzle
Of Mice and Men
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
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"The Highwayman"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Media monitors have criticised the junta for weaponising the legislation to muzzle journalists and social media users critical of their takeover.
From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026
The gun's massive muzzle fire is visible at the 46-second mark.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
AT&T then sued BBB National Programs, of which NAD is a division, accusing the group of seeking to muzzle free speech.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025
I notice two guests, both with their eyes closed, yawning as Cowboy rubs his muzzle along the fence.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025
After a moment, Peter saw a black muzzle point out from the brush.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
