# muzzle

/ˈməzəɫ/ (US) · /mˈʌzəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/muzzle
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. animal's snout

noun · CEFR B2

the part of an animal's head that includes the nose and mouth.

For teachers: the projecting part of the head of an animal, including the jaws, mouth, and nose.

- The dog had a white patch of fur on its muzzle.
- The veterinarian carefully examined the horse's muzzle for any signs of irritation or infection after it had been grazing in the new pasture.

### 2. protective cover

noun · CEFR B2

a cover you put over an animal's mouth to stop it from biting or eating.

For teachers: a guard or strap fitted over an animal's snout to prevent it from biting, barking, or scavenging.

- The law requires certain breeds of dogs to wear a muzzle in public parks.
- The trainer recommended a basket-style muzzle that allowed the dog to pant and drink water while ensuring the safety of other animals.

### 3. end of a gun

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the end of a gun where the bullet comes out.

For teachers: the open end of the barrel of a firearm from which the projectile is discharged.

- Smoke rose from the muzzle of the rifle after the shot.
- The ballistics expert measured the residue around the muzzle to determine the distance from which the weapon had been fired.

### 5. a person's mouth

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a rude or funny way to talk about a person's mouth.

For teachers: a derogatory or highly informal term for a human mouth.

- He told the loud man to shut his muzzle.
- The heckler was told in no uncertain terms to keep his muzzle shut during the performance.

## Examples

- The dog had to wear a muzzle at the park.
- The vet recommended a soft muzzle to keep the nervous dog from nipping during the examination.
- While the greyhound's slender muzzle is a defining characteristic of the breed, it also makes finding a properly fitting safety guard more difficult than for broader-faced dogs.

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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.