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)
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
PR NewswireExamples of mule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alana Wise, NPR, 15 June 2025
The New York Times reports the parade will feature 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks (each weighing 70 tons), 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers, more than 100 other military vehicles, 6,700 soldiers, 50 helicopters, 34 horses, two mules, and one dog.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
When Nick encouraged him forward, the horse kicked out both back legs like a mule.
—Will Grant, Outside Online, 11 June 2025
In 2026, they may be reminded of another political theorem: There is no education in the second kick from a mule.
—Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
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Noun
Additionally, 34 horses, two mules and one dog — a Blue Heeler named Doc Holliday — joined the march.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 15 June 2025
The New York Times reports the parade will feature 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks (each weighing 70 tons), 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers, more than 100 other military vehicles, 6,700 soldiers, 50 helicopters, 34 horses, two mules, and one dog.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
When Nick encouraged him forward, the horse kicked out both back legs like a mule.
—Will Grant, Outside Online, 11 June 2025
In 2026, they may be reminded of another political theorem: There is no education in the second kick from a mule.
—Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
Cite this Entry
“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mule
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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