noun
mudguard
MUD-gahrd
Mudguard (noun) means a curved cover or flap fitted over a wheel to stop it throwing up water and mud. Example: “The bicycle's mudguard kept her back dry on the wet ride.”
noun
1
A curved cover or flap fitted over a wheel to stop it throwing up water and mud.
"The bicycle's mudguard kept her back dry on the wet ride."
"He bolted a new mudguard onto the front wheel of the bike."
"Mud had built up under the car's rear mudguard."
2
A waterproof panel above the midsole of a trainer that stops mud and water soaking into the shoe during outdoor use.
"The trail shoe has a rubber mudguard around the toe for wet ground."
"This mudguard keeps water off the mesh upper when it rains."
How to use mudguard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cover over a wheel, or a panel on a shoe, that keeps mud and water off.
When to use it
It is an everyday, informal word used across the UK for both bikes and cars.
Memory tip
In American English, ask for a fender rather than a mudguard when talking about cars.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
mudflap
Common pairings
front mudguard
rear mudguard
fit a mudguard
bicycle mudguard
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Fill the gap
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The bicycle's _____ kept her back dry on the wet ride.
Etymology
The word is a straightforward compound of mud and guard, describing an item that guards against mud.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mudguard
See all rhymes for mudguard →Frequently asked questions
What is a mudguard used for?
It is a cover fitted over a wheel to stop water and mud being thrown up as the wheel turns.
What is the American word for mudguard?
In the US it is usually called a fender, while in the UK it may also be called a wing on a car.
Do trainers have mudguards too?
Some outdoor trainers have a waterproof panel above the sole that is also called a mudguard, protecting the shoe from mud and water.
What is the meaning of mudguard?
"mudguard" (noun) means a curved cover or flap fitted over a wheel to stop it throwing up water and mud.
