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Definition of muscle
1a : a body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motionb : 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
2a : muscular strength : brawnb : effective strength : power political muscle
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Examples of muscle in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of muscle from the Web
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Charlie was born in August with a rare genetic condition known as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS), which causes brain damage and loss of muscle function.
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When a person is unable to walk on their own, riding a horse will develop their core muscles and improve balance, posture and strength.
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In 2002, Megan was diagnosed with myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle commonly caused by a virus.
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The eye-popping photos featuring Drake's glistening muscles from every angle in a desert-like setting sent the internet into an all-out tailspin last week.
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Slowly, his skin sloughed off and his muscle tissue died.
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Fornoff suffered near-fatal kidney failure on the plane ride home, the result of extensive muscle damage that occurs in such long footraces.
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In GLOW, Brie's character is thrown headlock-first into a situation that requires her to use every physical and mental muscle in her arsenal.
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Less than a month ago, three-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman spoke out after a male TSA agent commented on her arm muscles at the airport.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of muscle
Middle English, from Latin musculus, from diminutive of mus mouse — more at mouse
Other Anatomy Terms
Examples of muscle in a Sentence
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 of muscle from the Web
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Indians 12, Rangers 9 7th INNING (vs. RHP Preston Claiborne) DH Edwin Encarnacion -- double to right (0-1 breaking pitch/83) Encarnacion muscled ball deep and near line.
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Just trying to muscle through that sand was a bear.
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There hardly could be more of a dramatic contrast then muscling up with Adebayo and Whiteside.
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The July 4 congressional recess is approaching fast, and the GOP has yet to muscle big legislative wins for Mr. Trump through Congress.
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China and Russia can marshal massive state resources to muscle their way in, with plans to build a 280-seat long-haul plane that would start flying toward the end of the next decade.
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The aim was to muscle the proposals to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk all at once.
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Who knows if the House can grapple with a Senate bill -- if and when senators muscle through their own plan?
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Though Russia under President Vladimir Putin is muscling its way back onto the world stage militarily, economic development has lagged woefully, and that includes the medical system.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of muscle
circa 1819
MUSCLE Defined for English Language Learners
muscle
playDefinition of muscle for English Language Learners
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: a body tissue that can contract and produce movement
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: physical strength
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: power and influence
muscle
Definition of muscle for English Language Learners
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: to move (something) by using physical strength and force
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: to move forward by using physical force
MUSCLE Defined for Kids
muscle
playDefinition of muscle for Students
1 : a tissue of the body consisting of long cells that can contract and produce motion
2 : an organ of the body that is a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end (as to bones) so that it can make a body part move
3 : strength of the muscles He doesn't have the muscle to lift that.
History for muscle
The English word muscle came from a Latin word musculus that means literally “small mouse.” The movement of the muscles under the skin probably made someone think of a lively mouse.
Medical Dictionary
muscle
playMedical Definition of muscle
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 1, antagonist a, synergist 2
Illustration of muscle
Learn More about muscle
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See words that rhyme with muscle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for muscle Spanish Central: Translation of muscle Nglish: Translation of muscle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of muscle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muscle
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