Definition

1. Noun:
   • The part of a wind instrument into which the player blows air directly: The mouthpiece is the opening or component where the musician places their lips to produce sound.
   • The tube or end of a pipe or cigarette holder placed in the mouth: The mouthpiece is the part a smoker holds between their lips.
   • A protective device for an athlete's mouth: In sports like boxing, a mouthpiece is a piece of equipment worn to protect the teeth and mouth from injury.
   • A spokesperson or representative: A mouthpiece is a person who speaks on behalf of another person, group, or organization, often in a formal or legal context.
   • The part of a telephone or acoustic device into which one speaks: The mouthpiece is the transmitter component where sound enters.
   • A part designed to cover or fit into a person's mouth: This can refer to various devices, such as the mouthpiece of a respirator or medical apparatus.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Wind Instrument):

  • The trumpet player carefully cleaned the mouthpiece before the concert.
  • A damaged mouthpiece can affect the sound quality of a clarinet.

• Noun (Smoking Item):

  • The antique pipe had an ornate ivory mouthpiece.
  • He bit down on the mouthpiece of his cigarette holder.

• Noun (Protective Gear):

  • The boxer's custom-fitted mouthpiece was essential for safety.
  • Always wear your mouthpiece during contact sports practice.

• Noun (Spokesperson):

  • The lawyer acted as a mouthpiece for the silent defendant.
  • The official served as the government's mouthpiece during the press conference.

• Noun (Telephone/Acoustic Device):

  • She spoke clearly into the telephone's mouthpiece.
  • The old microphone had a large, metal mouthpiece.

• Noun (Medical/Respiratory Device):

  • The nurse handed the patient the mouthpiece for the inhaler.
  • The respirator's mouthpiece must form a tight seal.

Advanced Usage

• "to be the mouthpiece for": To act as the official representative or voice for a particular cause or group.
  • The journalist was accused of being a mouthpiece for the political party.

Variants and Related Words

• Mouth (noun): The opening in the face used for speaking and eating; not a variant but the root word.
• Mouthguard (noun): A specific type of protective mouthpiece used in sports.

Synonyms

• Spokesperson: A person who speaks as a representative.
• Representative: Someone who acts or speaks on behalf of others.
• Embouchure (specific to music): The way a player applies their mouth to a wind instrument's mouthpiece; related but not a direct synonym for the object itself.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Related Idioms

Noun

1. the aperture of a wind instrument into which the player blows directly
2. the tube of a pipe or cigarette holder that a smoker holds in the mouth
3. (especially boxing) equipment that protects an athlete's mouth
4. a spokesperson (as a lawyer)
5. an acoustic device; the part of a telephone into which a person speaks
6. a part that goes over or into the mouth of a person
   • the mouthpiece of a respirator