Muscle Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary muscle 6 ENTRIES FOUND:

• muscle (noun)
• muscle (verb)
• muscle–bound (adjective)
• muscled (adjective)
• muscle car (noun)
• flex (verb)

1 muscle /ˈmʌsəl/ noun plural muscles 1 muscle /ˈmʌsəl/ noun plural muscles Britannica Dictionary definition of MUSCLE 1 : a body tissue that can contract and produce movement [count]

• the muscles of the arm
• stomach muscles
• flex a muscle
• relax a muscle
• an athlete with bulging/rippling muscles
• He pulled/tore/strained a muscle playing tennis.
• She has a strained muscle in her back.
• Wait here and don't move a muscle. [=don't move at all]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [noncount]

• She started lifting weights to build muscle.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used before another noun

• muscle fiber(s)/tissue
• muscle spasms
• an athlete practicing to develop muscle memory [=the ability to repeat a bodily movement exactly]
• a muscle relaxant [=a drug that relaxes muscles]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [noncount] a : physical strength

• She doesn't have the muscle to lift something so heavy.
• To clean that floor you have to put some muscle into it. [=you have to make a forceful effort]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : power and influence

• He lacks the political muscle [=clout] to get the policy changed.

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flex your muscles

— see 1flex 2 muscle /ˈmʌsəl/ verb muscles; muscled; muscling 2 muscle /ˈmʌsəl/ verb muscles; muscled; muscling Britannica Dictionary definition of MUSCLE 1 [+ object] : to move (something) by using physical strength and force

• They muscled the heavy boxes onto the truck.
• They muscled the furniture up the stairs.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used figuratively

• She was muscled [=forced] out of office by political opponents.
• He helped muscle the bill through Congress.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to move forward by using physical force [no object]

• He muscled through the crowd.
• They muscled into line behind us.

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• He muscled his way through the crowd. [=he moved ahead by pushing and forcing people to move out of the way]

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muscle in

[phrasal verb] : to use force or influence in a way that is wrong or unwanted in order to become involved in something for selfish reasons — usually + on

• His competitors have tried to muscle in on his business.

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