muscle memory

noun

: the ability to repeat a specific muscular movement with improved efficiency and accuracy that is acquired through practice and repetition
Hitting the golf ball requires strength, flexibility, coordination and muscle memory.Al Barkow
They practice their routines with mind-numbing repetitiveness, for hours and days, weeks and years, so that each spinning, twisting landing off the high bar becomes an act of muscle memory.E. M. Swift

Examples of muscle memory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Instead of opening an app or tapping through menus, Timeli relies on muscle memory. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026 This will strengthen your muscle memory. Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025 The celebrities will rely on muscle memory more than anything else, since the pros won’t have time to truly choreograph. Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025 Perfecting the Air Ride Formula In its most basic state, Kirby Air Riders is able to trap you in a loop of satisfying muscle memory. Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for muscle memory

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscle memory was in 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Muscle memory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle%20memory. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

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