mule

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare
b
: a self-sterile plant whether hybrid or not
c
: a usually sterile hybrid
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine for simultaneously drawing and twisting fiber into yarn or thread and winding it into cops
4
slang : a person who smuggles or delivers illicit substances (such as drugs)

mule

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a shoe or slipper without quarter or heel strap compare scuff

mule

3 of 3

noun (3)

variants or less commonly Mule
plural mules also Mules
: moscow mule
The marvelous take on a classic mule swaps ginger beer for ginger kombucha … for a crisp, fresh-tasting award-worthy cocktail …PR Newswire

Examples of mule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The mule adds little height to your step, without sacrificing comfort. Erinne Magee, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024 On an unseasonably hot October day in the Beverly Hills office of Adams’ production company, Bond Group Entertainment, the actress looks classic in a white button-down paired with jeans and black mules, her hair pulled into a chignon. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024 Bottega Veneta’s high-craft clutches and 3D flower mules: iconic items of the house get even better with novel techniques and materializations. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 7 Oct. 2024 Asheville’s flood woes are compared to 1916, when in fact mules hauling supplies were more the norm. Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mule 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French mul, from Latin mulus

Noun (2)

Middle French, a kind of slipper, from Latin mulleus shoe worn by magistrates

Noun (3)

short for moscow mule

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1562, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mule was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mule

Cite this Entry

“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mule

1 of 2 noun
1
: the hybrid offspring of a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse
2
: a very stubborn person
3
: a machine that draws and twists fiber into yarn or thread and winds it onto spindles

mule

2 of 2 noun
: a shoe or slipper that is open at the heel
Etymology

Noun

Middle English mule "the offspring of a donkey and a horse," from early French mul (same meaning), from Latin multus (same meaning)

Noun

from early French mule "slipper," from mulleus "a shoe worn by public officials"

Medical Definition

mule

noun
: a hybrid between a horse and a donkey
especially : the offspring of a male donkey and a mare
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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