muzzle

1 of 2

noun

muz·​zle ˈmə-zəl How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
1
: the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout
2
a
: a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting
b
: something (such as censorship) that restrains normal expression
3
: the open end of an implement
especially : the discharging end of a weapon

Illustration of muzzle

Illustration of muzzle
  • muzzle 2a

muzzle

2 of 2

verb

muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-liŋ How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
ˈmə-zə-

transitive verb

1
: to fit with a muzzle
2
a
: gag
muzzled the regime's critics
b
: restrain, restrict
the Pentagon's efforts to muzzle press accessJoe Strupp
the low prices muzzled competition
muzzler
ˈməz-lər How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
ˈmə-zə-
noun

Examples of muzzle in a Sentence

Verb a dangerous dog that should be muzzled attempts by the government to muzzle the press The company has tried to muzzle its employees by forbidding them to speak to the press.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In almost all cases, these depictions show what appear to be a species of baboon known as Papio hamadryas, large monkeys with a dog-like muzzle. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 During a rehearsal in an old wooden church, Baldwin pointed the gun at Hutchins, who wanted to get a close-up camera angle of the weapon’s muzzle for a scene to build tension in the movie. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 What to know about desert bighorn sheep Desert bighorn sheep have brown fur with white coloring under their belly, their muzzle and rump, according to the National Park Service said. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024 There is also growing evidence that popular flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs experience greater health complications linked to breathing issues and skin conditions, compared with breeds that have a longer muzzle. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 2 Feb. 2024 After Hutchins was killed, some productions started using fake guns with muzzle flashes added in post, instead of more realistic-looking blank-firing weapons. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 7 Feb. 2024 Music Timbaland apologizes to Britney Spears for ‘muzzle’ remark after misogyny accusations Nov. 8, 2023 In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Gloria Estefan, Teddy Riley, Jeff Lynne, Tim Rice, Glen Ballard and Liz Rose. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024 In another house, a gunman sticks the muzzle of his rifle into a room inhabited by a family. Matt Gutman, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2023 The tool measures the total time between a mouse click and the flash of an on-screen muzzle that indicates a shot being fired—the lower, the better for the game's responsiveness. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 20 Nov. 2023
Verb
In Tiananmen Square’s subway stations and nearby streets, where security is tight regularly, police presence was heavy, with security vans parked roadside and officers holding muzzled police dogs monitoring crowds of people making their usual commutes. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Real cannons were used, and the effects team added smoke and muzzle flashes. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 Both the military and Pakistan’s caretaker government have denied suppressing Khan or the PTI, despite the party's complaints of being marginalized and muzzled. Kyra Colah, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2024 This dual-track policy was also intended to muzzle any coherent demands for negotiations. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024 In a year defined by the dual strikes, talent was muzzled, unable to promote projects many had worked on for years. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2023 Trump argues that he has been unconstitutionally muzzled as his political foes serve dual roles as potential witnesses against him in court and public figures opining on the 2024 race. Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023 The honest truth is the national security law is designed to muzzle voices, it's designed to stop stories from being told. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023 Chutkan is hearing the January 6 case against Trump brought by special counsel Jack Smith and has decided to partially muzzle Trump with an order that is nonsensical and possibly unconstitutional. Rich Lowry, National Review, 20 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muzzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mosel, from Middle French musel, from Old French *mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of muzzle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near muzzle

Cite this Entry

“Muzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muzzle. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun
muz·​zle ˈməz-əl How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
1
: the nose and jaws of an animal : snout
2
: a covering for the mouth and jaws of an animal used to keep it from eating or biting
3
: the open end of a weapon from which the missile is fired

muzzle

2 of 2 verb
muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
1
: to put a muzzle on
2
: to prevent free or normal expression by : gag
the dictator muzzled the press

Medical Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun
muz·​zle ˈməz-əl How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
1
: the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout
2
: a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting

muzzle

2 of 2 transitive verb
muzzled; muzzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce muzzle (audio)
: to fit with a muzzle
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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