nozzle

noun

noz·​zle ˈnä-zəl 

1

a

: a projecting vent of something

b

: a short tube with a taper or constriction used (as on a hose) to speed up or direct a flow of fluid

c

: a part in a rocket engine that accelerates the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber to a high velocity

2

slang : nose

Synonyms

• snout
• nose

Examples of nozzle in a Sentence

in this classic film noir, a private eye gets his nozzle sliced when he starts poking it into places where it's not welcome

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, gently wipe the nozzle with a damp cloth, taking care not to use excessive force—such as pushing, pulling, or pressing—that can cause damage. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025

The rotating nozzle and three pressure settings blast gunk from places threads can't reach. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 11 July 2025

While the booster performed impressively under extreme conditions, an unexpected anomaly caught engineers' attention: around 15 seconds before shutdown, the nozzle appeared to detach and release debris, accompanied by a bright plume flare. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 11 July 2025

Williams loves the Shark Pet Plus Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner (and also the Shark Rocket Pet Pro) because the floor nozzle has a self-cleaning soft brushroll and PowerFins. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

diminutive of nose

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for nozzle

• causal
• clausal
• tahsil
• menopausal
• postmenopausal
• premenopausal

Kids Definition

nozzle

noun

noz·​zle ˈnäz-əl 

: a short tube that narrows in the middle or toward one end and is often used (as on a hose or pipe) to direct or speed up a flow of fluid