mule

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmyül 

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

Mules are traditionally lime, vodka, and ginger beer served in a copper mug, a very refreshing beverage …

—Santino Mattioli

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

Noun

Martine Rose and Supreme previously collaborated on Clarks boots and apparel in 2024, and the British-Jamaican designer has also worked with Nike through her namesake label on several occasions since 2018, including the Air Monarch and Shox mules. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 15 June 2026

Perry wore the sculptural fringe dress with a pair of see-through wedge mules and silver jewelry. —Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

Perfect for a city vacation or a big meeting, mules are synonymous with summer. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 12 June 2026

Few shoes feel as effortlessly sophisticated as a loafer mule, especially during the summer months. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing mule

• (as) stubborn as a mule
• Moscow mule
• mule deer
• mule skinner

Rhymes for mule

• boule
• brule
• buhl
• cool
• drool
• fool
• ghoul
• pool
• poul
• rule
• school
• spool

Kids Definition

mule

1 of 2 noun

ˈmyü(ə)l 

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

ˈmyü(ə)l 

: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey

especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare