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)
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
PR NewswireExamples of mule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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 
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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
Dictionary Entries Near mule
Cite this Entry
“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mule
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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