often attributive
1
a
: a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion
b
: an organ that is essentially a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement of a body part
muscled; muscling
ˈmə-s(ə-)liŋ 
: to move or force by or as if by muscular effort
muscled him out of office
: to make one's way by brute strength or by force
Synonyms
Examples of muscle in a Sentence
Noun
the muscles of the arm
an athlete with bulging muscles
He pulled a muscle playing tennis.
She has a strained muscle in her back.
She started lifting weights to build muscle.
She doesn't have the muscle to lift something so heavy.
Verb
They muscled the heavy boxes onto the truck.
They muscled the furniture up the stairs.
He muscled through the crowd.
They muscled into line behind us.
Recent Examples on the Web
San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024
Across the world, one of the largest computer and tech conferences, Computex Taipei, takes place in Taiwan — and the world’s biggest chipmakers will have their AI muscles flexed.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 2 June 2024
Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 30 May 2024
Once in a human host, the larvae can then move through the body to muscle tissue and organs, including the brain.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for muscle 
Noun
Sudden paralysis of some or all muscles brought on by laughter, anger, fright or strong emotions; a hallmark of narcolepsy.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024
Across the world, one of the largest computer and tech conferences, Computex Taipei, takes place in Taiwan — and the world’s biggest chipmakers will have their AI muscles flexed.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 2 June 2024
Verb
The tug-of-war lasted for a short while before Courtright managed to muscle the fish up beside his boat.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 30 May 2024
Once in a human host, the larvae can then move through the body to muscle tissue and organs, including the brain.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for muscle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muscle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Dictionary Entries Near muscle
Cite this Entry
“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muscle
1 of 2 noun
mus·cle
ˈməs-əl
1
a
: a body tissue consisting of long cells that can contract and produce motion
b
: an organ that is a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point (as to bones) and that by contracting moves or stops the movement of a body part
2
a
: muscular strength : brawn
b
: power entry 1 sense 2
lacks the muscle to make good on campaign promises
muscle
2 of 2 verb
muscled; muscling
ˈməs-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to force from a position
was muscled out of office by political opponents
2
: to force one's way
muscled through the crowd
Etymology
Noun
from Latin musculus "muscle, little mouse," from mus "mouse"
Word Origin
People today are perhaps unlikely to think of their muscles as resembling mice. The ancient Romans, however, saw a likeness, especially in the major muscles of the arms and legs. For that reason the Latin word musculus, which originally meant "little mouse," came to be used to mean "muscle."
Medical Definition
muscle
noun
mus·cle
ˈməs-əl
often attributive
1
: a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion see cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, striated muscle
2
: an organ that is essentially a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement of a body part see agonist sense 1, antagonist sense a, synergist sense 2
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