mule

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare
b
: a self-sterile plant whether hybrid or not
c
: a usually sterile hybrid
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine for simultaneously drawing and twisting fiber into yarn or thread and winding it into cops
4
slang : a person who smuggles or delivers illicit substances (such as drugs)

mule

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a shoe or slipper without quarter or heel strap compare scuff

mule

3 of 3

noun (3)

variants or less commonly Mule
plural mules also Mules
: moscow mule
The marvelous take on a classic mule swaps ginger beer for ginger kombucha … for a crisp, fresh-tasting award-worthy cocktail …PR Newswire

Examples of mule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This was no low-level mule who ferried drugs on his person, but a state attorney general who had facilitated cartel smuggling for years. Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025 The star accessorized with all-white accessories: mules, a clutch purse, sunglasses and earrings. Catherine Santino, People.com, 1 July 2025 There are jelly flats, jelly fisherman sandals, jelly Mary Janes, jelly mules, even jelly sneakers. Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 27 June 2025 The actress completed her look with open-toe mules from the brand Paris Texas. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mule

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French mul, from Latin mulus

Noun (2)

Middle French, a kind of slipper, from Latin mulleus shoe worn by magistrates

Noun (3)

short for moscow mule

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1562, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mule was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mule

1 of 2 noun
1
: the hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine that draws and twists fiber into yarn or thread and winds it onto spindles

mule

2 of 2 noun
: a shoe or slipper that is open at the heel
Etymology

Noun

Middle English mule "the offspring of a donkey and a horse," from early French mul (same meaning), from Latin multus (same meaning)

Noun

from early French mule "slipper," from mulleus "a shoe worn by public officials"

Medical Definition

mule

noun
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare

More from Merriam-Webster on mule

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