muscle

1 of 2

noun

mus·​cle ˈmə-səl 

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

2

a

: muscular strength : brawn

I don't have the muscle to lift something so heavy.

b

: effective strength : power

political muscle

muscle

2 of 2

verb

muscled; muscling ˈmə-s(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to move or force by or as if by muscular effort

muscled him out of office

intransitive verb

: to make one's way by brute strength or by force

muscled through the crowd

Synonyms of muscle

Noun

• power
• beef
• energy

Verb

• force
• coerce
• compel

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

Noun

This causes the pancreas to quickly release the hormone insulin to drive that blood sugar down, forcing sugar into the liver, muscles and fat tissue throughout the body. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Physical activity redirects blood away from the digestive system to the muscles, which can potentially cause cramps or nausea. —Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 12 Nov. 2025

Verb

But Biden and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is retiring from the House at age 85, got credit for muscling through significant legislation with thin Democratic majorities. —Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025

Two plays later, fellow freshman Smith muscled into the end zone to tie score at 10. —Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin musculus, from diminutive of mus mouse — more at mouse entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1819, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing muscle

• cardiac muscle
• extraocular muscle
• involuntary muscle
• move a muscle
• muscle-bound
• muscle car
• muscle in
• muscle memory
• muscle one's way
• muscle relaxant
• muscle shirt
• muscle spindle
• oblique muscle
• pectoral muscle
• put some muscle into
• skeletal muscle
• smooth muscle
• sternocleidomastoid muscle
• sternomastoid muscle
• striated muscle
• voluntary muscle

Rhymes for muscle

• bustle
• hustle
• mussel
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

Kids 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