noun
protection against mud; mud protection
Refers to the function or act of keeping mud off something. Often used in compound nouns or descriptive phrases.
自転車に泥除けを取り付けると、服が汚れにくくなる。
If you attach a mudguard to your bicycle, your clothes are less likely to get dirty.
noun
mudguard; mudflap
A physical part attached to a vehicle (bicycle, motorcycle, car) to block mud splashes.
トラックの泥除けが外れそうになっている。
The truck's mudflap is about to come off.
noun
Specifically the fender/wing of a car. Cross-referenced with フェンダー.
See also: フェンダー
事故で車の泥除けがへこんでしまった。
The car's fender got dented in the accident.
Loanword from English 'fender', often used for car fenders. 泥除け is the native Japanese term and can refer to mudguards on various vehicles, not just cars.
Compound of 泥 (mud) and 除け (avoidance, protection), from the verb 除ける (to remove, to keep off).