ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mustang

n.
US //ˈməsˌtæŋ// UK //mˈʌstæŋ// mus·tang
  1. 1 wild horse (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a small, strong wild horse that lives on the plains of North America.

    a feral horse of the North American West, descended from Spanish-introduced stock and known for its hardiness.

    Example

    We saw a small group of mustangs running across the open fields in Nevada.

    Example

    The preservation of the mustang remains a contentious issue between animal rights advocates and ranchers who compete for grazing land.
    • wild horse
    • feral horse
  2. 2 sports car (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a famous brand of American sports car made by Ford.

    a high-performance American automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, considered a cultural icon of the 'pony car' class.

    Example

    He spent years restoring a classic 1960s mustang in his garage.

    Example

    The roar of the mustang's engine was unmistakable as it accelerated down the coastal highway.

  3. 3 military officer (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Slang

    an officer in the military who was once an ordinary soldier.

    a commissioned officer who began their career as an enlisted service member rather than attending a service academy.

    Example

    The captain is a mustang who knows exactly what life is like for the new recruits.

    Example

    As a mustang, the lieutenant colonel earned the respect of his battalion by demonstrating a practical understanding of daily operations.

    Usage

    Used primarily within the United States Armed Forces.

Origin

Borrowed from Mexican Spanish mestengo, from Old Spanish mesteño (“feral animal”) or mestengo (“feral animal”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026