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 …—
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PR NewswireExamples of mule in a Sentence
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David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Sleek Flats: The Feminine Finish For a soft, elegant touch, flat mules or strappy sandals are the perfect pairing with wide-leg pants, as these delicate styles contrast beautifully with oversized silhouettes, adding a hint of polish without overpowering.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025
Pair it with chop suey, or lamb and mint sauce or a marmalade tart prepared by an outré chef who spouts long stories of conflicted brilliant travels on leaking ships or saddled mules or trains with cracked windows.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Many are born stunted, or sterile, like mules, evolutionary dead ends with no way to pass on their genes.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
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Noun
Once a station for switching out horses and mules for fresh ones along the old Oregon-to-California Trail, a 54-acre ranch near Mount Shasta has hit the market for under $1 million.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Sleek Flats: The Feminine Finish For a soft, elegant touch, flat mules or strappy sandals are the perfect pairing with wide-leg pants, as these delicate styles contrast beautifully with oversized silhouettes, adding a hint of polish without overpowering.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025
Pair it with chop suey, or lamb and mint sauce or a marmalade tart prepared by an outré chef who spouts long stories of conflicted brilliant travels on leaking ships or saddled mules or trains with cracked windows.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Many are born stunted, or sterile, like mules, evolutionary dead ends with no way to pass on their genes.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
Cite this Entry
“Mule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mule. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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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