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

Examples of muscle memory in a Sentence

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That really created muscle memory in finance organizations that is enduring to their benefit today. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Like athletes fine-tune muscle memory through constant feedback, learning must adapt dynamically—not just be a one-time event. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 If Softbank can make a couple of other strategic acquisitions to cover interconnects and networking, and the company will have the IP, people and go-to-market muscle memory to compete effectively in relatively short order. Matt Kimball, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Athletes understand that repetition builds muscle memory and confidence. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Mar. 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 21 Apr. 2025.

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