muscle memory
noun
: 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
E. M. SwiftExamples of muscle memory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This sequence of actions can be quite fast, since training builds it into every soldier’s muscle memory.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
His fingers trace paths with muscle memory that’s been honed over hundreds of drawings—everything from a cartoon portrait of Toy Story’s Woody to an architectural sketch of Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle.
—Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Djokovic’s survival instincts are so strong that muscle memory and major-winning mentality rise above temporary physical issues.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Luckily, under real stakes, my muscle memory kicked in.
—Benedict Nguyễn
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle memory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
His fingers trace paths with muscle memory that’s been honed over hundreds of drawings—everything from a cartoon portrait of Toy Story’s Woody to an architectural sketch of Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle.
—Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Djokovic’s survival instincts are so strong that muscle memory and major-winning mentality rise above temporary physical issues.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Luckily, under real stakes, my muscle memory kicked in.
—Benedict Nguyễn
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle memory
Cite this Entry
“Muscle memory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle%20memory. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share