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
muscled; muscling
ˈmə-s(ə-)liŋ 
: to move or force by or as if by muscular effort
muscled him out of office
: to make one's way by brute strength or by force
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
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Eating cottage cheese before bed helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which can help support a healthy metabolism.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
But some of the other 94 guys competing just might muscle their way into the scenario.
—Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS causes loss of muscle control and there is currently no cure for this disease.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Eating cottage cheese before bed helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which can help support a healthy metabolism.
—Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Republicans, in control of the White House and Congress, are trying to muscle Trump’s signature domestic policy bill closer to passage, ensuring some $4.5 trillion in tax breaks approved during his first term don’t expire at year’s end.
—Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
But some of the other 94 guys competing just might muscle their way into the scenario.
—Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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