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gag

A device to restrain speech, such as a rag in the mouth secured with tape or a rubber ball threaded onto a cord or strap.

ˈɡæɡDocumented since 1700sSilenthistorical140 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~1707 · no dated citations yet
1707BornToday, 2026

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US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US

A device to restrain speech, such as a rag in the mouth secured with tape or a rubber ball threaded onto a cord or strap.

Blood may seep to the back of the throat and may clot, producing an “artificial gag” of clotted blood.
Origin: The noun is from Early Modern English gagge; the verb is from . Possibly imitative or perhaps related to or influenced by . The intransitive sense "to retch" is from 1707. The noun is from the 16th century, figurative use (for "repression of speech") from the 1620s. The secondary meaning "(practical) joke" is from 1863, of unclear origin. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026US

(legal) An order or rule forbidding discussion of a case or subject.

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#3·Apr 27, 2026US

(figurative) Any suppression of freedom of speech.

For parents

"gag" means: Any suppression of freedom of speech.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"gag" means: Any suppression of freedom of speech.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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