Muscle

/ˈmʌs.əl/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.
2. (countable) An organ composed of muscle tissue.
3. (usually in the plural) A well-developed physique, in which the muscles are enlarged from exercise.
4. (uncountable, figurative) Strength, force.
5. (uncountable, figurative) Hired strongmen or bodyguards.
6. (transitive) To use force to make progress, especially physical force.
7. (intransitive) To move forcefully or with great strength.

Example Sentences

Muscle consists largely of actin and myosin filaments.

For as the Trunk of the Body, is kept from tilting forvvard by the Muſcules of the Back: So, from falling backvvard, by theſe of the Belly.

His brow and hair and the palms of his hands were wet, and there was a kind of nervous contraction of his muscles. They seemed to ripple and string tense.

You, Boxer, the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power, Jones will sell you to the knacker […]

2008, Lou Schuler, "Foreward", in Nate Green, Built for Show, page xii The fact that I was middle-aged, bald, married, and raising girls instead of chasing them didn't really bother me. Muscles are cool at any age.

The widely-backed campaign to recall Evan Mecham as governor of Arizona gained even more muscle when the state House of Representatives voted to impeach the ultraconservative on February 5.

The lesson to be drawn from the events of 1914, to Roosevelt's mind, was that civilization needed muscle to defend it, not just solemn words.

It was going to take muscle to pluck Miss Agnes out of the canal.

Synonyms for muscle

Antonyms for muscle

Related Words

Word Forms

• muscles
• muscule
• muscling
• muscled

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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