A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in humans and animals that has the ability to contract, producing movement or maintaining the position of parts of the body.
He strained a muscle while lifting weights at the gym.
Strength or power; the ability to exert force.
The team used their muscle to push through the tough competition.
A group of muscles or tissues that perform a specific function.
The skeletal muscle is responsible for voluntary movements.
verb
To exert strength or power; to use physical force.
He muscled his way through the crowded room to find his friends.
Etymology
From Latin 'musculus', meaning 'little mouse', referring to the appearance of connected muscle and the movement of a mouse.
Common Phrases and Expressions
flex your muscles
To show off one's strength or power.
to muscle in
To intrude or take over without invitation.
to have muscle
To possess strength or influence.
muscle memory
The ability to reproduce a particular movement from memory due to practice.
to bulk up
To gain muscle mass through exercise and diet.
Related Words
sinew
Strong tissue that connects muscle to bone.
tendon
A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.
strength
The quality or state of being physically strong.
power
The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.
Slang Meanings
Muscle
He's got some serious muscle; he can lift that car.
Muscle up
If you want to impress the coach, you need to muscle up.