noun

muzzle

MUH-zuhl

noun

An animal's nose and mouth area, or a strap-on device fitted over it to stop biting or eating.

"The dog's muzzle twitched at the smell of food."

"They put a muzzle on the dog before the vet visit."

The open front end of a gun barrel, where the bullet exits.

"Smoke curled from the muzzle after the shot."

verb

To stop someone from speaking freely or expressing an opinion; to silence.

"Critics accused the government of trying to muzzle the press."

"The new policy effectively muzzled employees who wanted to raise concerns."

How to Use Muzzle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, the covering on an animal's snout; figuratively, silencing someone so they can't speak out.

Common pairings

muzzle a dog muzzle the press gun muzzle

muzzled past tense, muzzles plural, muzzles singular

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The dog's _____ twitched at the smell of food.

From Old French musel/museau, ultimately from Late Latin mūsus ("snout") — the same root that gives French museau today.

puzzle guzzle