muzzle

1 of 2

noun

muz·​zle ˈmə-zəl 

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

• muzzle 2a

muzzle

2 of 2

verb

muzzled; muzzling ˈməz-liŋ 

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 access

—Joe Strupp

the low prices muzzled competition

muzzler

ˈməz-lər 

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

The video had no sound and did not capture a muzzle flash, only figures appearing to scatter around the same time, a police witness acknowledged. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025

Jabbar then shoots from behind an airbag at close range and the flash of the muzzle is visible. —Jack Brook The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025

Verb

But when the dog had another incident in June 2024 — biting a woman’s leg while not muzzled or leashed — Fincham was eventually charged. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025

The language used by both parties in their public statements reads like an attempt to muzzle any rancour over his reign. —James Pearce, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025

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

Kids Definition

muzzle

1 of 2 noun

muz·​zle ˈməz-əl 

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 

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 

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 

: to fit with a muzzle