muscle memory

noun

: the ability to repeat a specific muscular movement with improved efficiency and accuracy that is acquired through practice and repetition
Hitting the golf ball requires strength, flexibility, coordination and muscle memory.Al Barkow
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

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His first act was to short-circuit a century of institutional muscle memory. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The goal was to build the muscle memory (pun intended) of reaching for protein early in the day. Lauren Manaker, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026 Instead of opening an app or tapping through menus, Timeli relies on muscle memory. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026 This will strengthen your muscle memory. Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 23 Dec. 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 2 Feb. 2026.

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