gag

¹

[ gag ]

verb (used with object)

, gagged, gag·ging.

1. to stop up the mouth of (a person) by putting something in it, thus preventing speech, shouts, etc.
2. to restrain by force or authority from freedom of speech; silence.

   Synonyms: suppress, stifle, curb

3. to fasten open the jaws of, as in surgical operations.
4. to cause to retch or choke.
5. Metalworking. to straighten or bend (a bar, rail, etc.) with a gag.

verb (used without object)

, gagged, gag·ging.

1. to retch or choke.

noun

1. something put into a person's mouth to prevent speech, shouting, etc.
2. any forced or arbitrary suppression of freedom of speech.
3. a surgical instrument for holding the jaws open.
4. Metalworking. a shaped block of steel used with a press to straighten or bend a bar, rail, etc.

gag

²

[ gag ]

noun

1. a joke, especially one introduced into a script or an actor's part.
2. any contrived piece of wordplay or horseplay.

verb (used without object)

, gagged, gag·ging.

1. to tell jokes or make amusing remarks.
2. to introduce gags in acting.
3. to play on another's credulity, as by telling false stories.

verb (used with object)

, gagged, gag·ging.

1. to introduce usually comic interpolations into (a script, an actor's part, or the like) (usually followed by up ).

gag

³

[ gag ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) gag, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) gags.

1. a serranid game fish, Mycteroperca microlepsis, found along the southeastern coast of the United States.
2. any of several related fishes.

gag

¹

/ ɡæɡ /

noun

1. a joke or humorous story, esp one told by a professional comedian
2. a hoax, practical joke, etc

   he did it for a gag

verb

1. intr to tell jokes or funny stories, as comedians in nightclubs, etc
2. often foll by up theatre
   1. to interpolate lines or business not in the actor's stage part, usually comic and improvised
   2. to perform a stage jest, either spoken or based on movement

gag

²

/ ɡæɡ /

verb

1. tr to stop up (a person's mouth), esp with a piece of cloth, etc, to prevent him or her from speaking or crying out
2. tr to suppress or censor (free expression, information, etc)
3. to retch or cause to retch
4. intr to struggle for breath; choke
5. tr to hold (the jaws) of (a person or animal) apart with a surgical gag
6. tr to apply a gag-bit to (a horse)
7. be gagging for or be gagging to slang.
   to be very eager to have or do something

noun

1. a piece of cloth, rope, etc, stuffed into or tied across the mouth
2. any restraint on or suppression of information, free speech, etc
3. a surgical device for keeping the jaws apart, as during a tonsillectomy
4. parliamentary procedure another word for closure

Word History and Origins

Origin of gag¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English gaggen “to strangle, suffocate”; perhaps imitative of the sound made in choking; compare Old Norse adjective gag-háls “with the neck thrown back”

Origin of gag²

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps special use of gag ¹

Origin of gag³

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gag¹

C19: perhaps special use of gag ¹

Origin of gag²

C15 gaggen ; perhaps imitative of a gasping sound

Example Sentences

Recently Ray spoke to The Times about how his signature live show started as a gag to maximize the usage of exceptional makeup and turned Ray into an “advice”-giving, viral sensation.

From Los Angeles Times

Notable for starring 94-year-old June Squibb on a quest for payback, Josh Margolin’s debut goes deeper than the gag would suggest, summoning style and warmth.

From Los Angeles Times

“Should his administration attempt to impose the dangerous Project 2025 agenda, it will unleash an all-out assault on rights and freedoms, using every lever of government — from attacks on abortion and contraception in the United States to reimposing the global gag rule and gutting U.S. international family planning aid.”

From Salon

The president-elect was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a plot to cover up a hush-money payment to an adult film star, with his sentencing originally scheduled for mid-July at the conclusion of a trial characterized by gag order violations, attacks on uninvolved parties and shaky defense.

From Salon

"Judge Merchan didn't jail Trump for 10 full violations of his gag order, he's not going to sentence him to any time. He'll probably be fined, and that will be the end of it."

From Salon

Related Words

• choke
• constrain
• muzzle
• suppress