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
Authorities said Secret Service agents fired at him after seeing the muzzle of his rifle pointing through a chain-link fence one hole ahead of where Trump was playing. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 16 Sep. 2024 The ballistics were modest-a 160-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,300 feet per second. Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2024
Verb
Dogs that have been declared to be dangerous must be muzzled in public, and the owner is required to post warning signs and maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024 My quibble will come in three questions: Why didn’t the author express horror at was done, and as being of a piece of what happened to doctors in the old Soviet Union whereby dissenting opinion was muzzled? John Tamny, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for muzzle 

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 15 Oct. 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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