nozzle

American  

[noz-uhl] / ˈnɒz əl /

noun

1. a projecting spout, terminal discharging pipe, or the like, as of a hose or bellows.

2. Slang. the nose.

3. the spout of a teapot.

4. the socket of a candlestick.

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nozzle British  

/ ˈnɒzəl /

noun

1. a projecting pipe or spout from which fluid is discharged

2. Also called: propelling nozzle.  a pipe or duct, esp in a jet engine or rocket, that directs the effluent and accelerates or diffuses the flow to generate thrust

3. a socket, such as the part of a candlestick that holds the candle

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Etymology

Origin of nozzle

1600–10; earlier nosle; nose, -le

Example Sentences

At the pumps, the mood was tense as customers watched the fuel counter tick up, sometimes pulling out the nozzle before the satisfying “ca-chunk” that indicates a full tank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Inspectors also found old meat left in a mincer's nozzle and too few sinks for people to wash their hands at Kenya Butchers in West Street, Reading, run by KBH Meats Ltd.

From BBC • May 10, 2025

It took me three hours to force the hose onto the pump nozzle, but I couldn’t cinch it up securely.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

Social media platforms have had a mercurial relationship with publishers, too, funneling readers to news sites before turning down the nozzle to a slow drip.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2024

Mr. Sir opened the nozzle, and the water flowed out of the tank, but it did not go into Stanley's canteen.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

Related Words

• faucet
• spigot