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
Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
The Bayeux Museum in Normandy indicates that the intricate tapestry features 626 characters, 37 buildings, 41 ships and 202 horses and mules.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
The military’s use of horses, donkeys, and mules continued to decrease over the ensuing decades, with the equines primarily relegated to non-combat endeavors and ceremonial processions.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Kardashian specifically wore the Italian luxury brand’s Elle mule, a popular mule style featuring a see-through Plexi upper.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mule
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
Carrying gear is the job of horses and mules, not people!
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 July 2025
The Bayeux Museum in Normandy indicates that the intricate tapestry features 626 characters, 37 buildings, 41 ships and 202 horses and mules.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
The military’s use of horses, donkeys, and mules continued to decrease over the ensuing decades, with the equines primarily relegated to non-combat endeavors and ceremonial processions.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Kardashian specifically wore the Italian luxury brand’s Elle mule, a popular mule style featuring a see-through Plexi upper.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 June 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 22 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share