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
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Unlike the original runway styling, the pop star wore her blonde hair in bombshell waves, with more parred back accessories and black mules.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The first shoe line features styles called Mind 001, a slip-in mule, and Mind 002, a sneaker.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Prepare to see plenty of slipper mules this fall.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
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Noun
Alongside the winter 2025 collection are two accessories exclusives, the Chainmail bag and the Cabana Maille mules, both done in verdant green colorways.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Unlike the original runway styling, the pop star wore her blonde hair in bombshell waves, with more parred back accessories and black mules.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The first shoe line features styles called Mind 001, a slip-in mule, and Mind 002, a sneaker.
—New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Prepare to see plenty of slipper mules this fall.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 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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