nozzle

American  

[noz-uhl] / ˈnɒz əl /

noun

1. a projecting spout, terminal discharging pipe, or the like, as of a hose or bellows.

2. Slang. the nose.

3. the spout of a teapot.

4. the socket of a candlestick.

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nozzle British  

/ ˈnɒzəl /

noun

1. a projecting pipe or spout from which fluid is discharged

2. Also called: propelling nozzle.  a pipe or duct, esp in a jet engine or rocket, that directs the effluent and accelerates or diffuses the flow to generate thrust

3. a socket, such as the part of a candlestick that holds the candle

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Etymology

Origin of nozzle

1600–10; earlier nosle; see nose, -le

Explanation

A nozzle is the spout at the end of a hose that water flows through. Any kind of fluid — oil, gasoline — can move through a tube and squirt out of a nozzle, but we usually think of water in a hose, with the nozzle controlling the spray. The root of nozzle is nose, which — if you use a little imagination — describes the shape of most nozzles.

Example Sentences

At the pumps, the mood was tense as customers watched the fuel counter tick up, sometimes pulling out the nozzle before the satisfying “ca-chunk” that indicates a full tank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

So depending on the contents, you could have a pump, a squeeze top, spray nozzle, screw top lid or other options.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

The nozzle array can also pick up spheroids in customized patterns, which can then be repeated to create the architecture found in complex tissue.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

Like water spraying through a narrow nozzle, the winds are accelerated as they enter the canyons, often reaching gale-force strength by the time they exit into Los Angeles and San Bernardino.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2024

When the intricate De Laval nozzle was ready, Mr. Caton proudly displayed his work.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• faucet
• spigot