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 < ?
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.
He was much scarred from fighting, with notched ears and lines on his muzzle, but he was a very good dog—strong and honest—and we liked him.
From Literature
Her muzzle was white, with small black dots where her whiskers grew, almost like the freckles on Maggie’s cheeks.
From Literature
Media monitors have criticised the junta for weaponising the legislation to muzzle journalists and social media users critical of their takeover.
From Barron's
Despite suffering from "numerous" bald patches, a torn muzzle, and repairs to both pads on his paws and feet, the Edwardian bear attracted a lot of interest ahead of the sale.
From BBC
He saw himself standing in the bukshah fields, with Star's warm muzzle bent to his hand and the other beasts grazing around him, huge, calm, and trusting.
From Literature
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.
