# mustang

/ˈməsˌtæŋ/ (US) · /mˈʌstæŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mustang
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. wild horse

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

- We saw a small group of mustangs running across the open fields in Nevada.
- The preservation of the mustang remains a contentious issue between animal rights advocates and ranchers who compete for grazing land.

### 2. sports car

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a famous brand of American sports car made by Ford.

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

- He spent years restoring a classic 1960s mustang in his garage.
- The roar of the mustang's engine was unmistakable as it accelerated down the coastal highway.

### 3. military officer

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

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

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

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

## Examples

- A wild mustang ran across the open field.
- The photographer spent weeks in the desert trying to capture images of a mustang herd in its natural habitat.
- While the mustang is an iconic symbol of the American West, its presence on public lands remains a subject of intense debate between conservationists and local ranchers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.