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Definition of muscle memory
: the ability to repeat a specific muscular movement with improved efficiency and accuracy that is acquired through practice and repetition
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 The system tracks shots and gives players verbal feedback to help them develop the muscle memory to shoot the perfect shot.
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Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive, "‘Pretty cool technology’: Portland Trail Blazers integrating shot-tracking system into practice routine," 25 Oct. 2019 Not everyone wants to relearn all their muscle memory to get sweet headshots.
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Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "Video: How (and why) Blizzard finally ported Overwatch to Switch," 14 Oct. 2019 Their movements between tables are practiced on the level of muscle memory — all calm.
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Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Greens is brighter than ever as it soars through its midlife crisis," 3 Oct. 2019 The maxims were the same: live by the checklist; carve the routines into muscle memory; never get complacent.
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The Economist, "The last of the great explorers," 6 Sep. 2019 Many of the top quarterback prospects start working with private trainers in middle school, and that helps establish a more solid foundation for them in terms of refining their mechanics and establishing muscle memory.
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Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, oregonlive, "Freshman Orientation: Auburn’s Bo Nix the latest in trend of true freshman starting quarterbacks," 26 Aug. 2019 Your hand automatically recognizes the mistake—muscle memory—and makes the adjustment.
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Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "The Right Way to Use a Chef's Knife," 7 Nov. 2018 Pitchfork devotees can work from muscle memory: like last year, gates will open at noon sharp each day.
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Nicole Blackwood, chicagotribune.com, "Pitchfork 2019 guide: What to know if you go," 16 July 2019 But the muscle memory of cable news as entertainment is hard to retrain.
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Sarah Ellison, Washington Post, "CNN and Jeff Zucker plot 2020 election coverage and promise things will be different," 30 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscle memory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for muscle memory
The first known use of muscle memory was in 1890
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