bridle

American  

[brahyd-l] / ˈbraɪd l /

noun

1. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.

2. anything that restrains or curbs.

   His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.

   Synonyms:

   check, governor

3. Machinery. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.

4. Nautical. a rope or chain secured at both ends to an object to be held, lifted, or towed, and itself held or lifted by a rope or chain secured at its center.

5. a raising up of the head, as in disdain.

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verb (used with object)

bridled, bridling

1. to put a bridle on.

2. to control or hold back; restrain; curb.

   Synonyms:

   limit, restrict, inhibit, constrain, govern, check

verb (used without object)

bridled, bridling

1. to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.

   Synonyms:

   bristle

bridle British  

/ ˈbraɪdəl /

noun

1. a headgear for a horse, etc, consisting of a series of buckled straps and a metal mouthpiece (bit) by which the animal is controlled through the reins

2. something that curbs or restrains; check

3. a Y-shaped cable, rope, or chain, used for holding, towing, etc

4. machinery a device by which the motion of a component is limited, often in the form of a linkage or flange

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verb

1. (tr) to put a bridle on (a horse, mule, etc)

2. (intr) (of a horse) to respond correctly to the pull of the reins

3. (tr) to restrain; curb

   he bridled his rage

4. to show anger, scorn, or indignation

Other Word Forms

• bridleless adjective
• bridler noun

Etymology

Origin of bridle

before 900; Middle English bridel, Old English brīdel for brigdels, equivalent to brigd- (variant stem of bregdan to braid ( def. ) ) + -els noun suffix; akin to Dutch breidel, Old High German brittel

Example Sentences

One of his greatest assets is at the half-mile pole you could tell from the tenor in his voice if he spotted a horse that was up in the bridle had a big chance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

His eyes are full of tears as he holds the little riding crop in one hand and the bridle in the other.

From Slate • Nov. 30, 2023

But nations including South Africa and Colombia bridle at what they see as an implicit choice.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2023

Cradling a 3D printed copy of a horse skull from Mongolia, Taylor points to a groove midway along the long, sloping nose, caused by pressure from a bridle.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 29, 2023

I saddle and bridle a spotted one and lead her out onto the grass.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black