musculature
Americannoun
noun
-
the arrangement of muscles in an organ or part
-
the total muscular system of an organism
Etymology
Origin of musculature
1870–75; musculat(ion) muscular system ( see muscle, -ation) + -ure
Explanation
Musculature is a system of muscles in a body. Your biceps and triceps are part of the musculature of your arm. Musculature is just an extra-fancy way for scientists to say "muscles." Zoologists might talk about the musculature of domesticated animals compared with wild animals, for example, and archaeologists may speculate about the musculature of ancient humans. The term includes not only the muscles themselves, but the way they work together in an organism. Musculature shares a root with muscle, the Latin musculus, which means both "a muscle" and "little mouse."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was chosen because this animal’s femur lacks a crest or raised bony protrusion – known as a trochanter – where part of the tail musculature would attach.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026
Jana Sterbak’s 1987 “Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic,” a garment made of raw flank steaks, is said to echo Michelangelo’s anatomical studies of musculature.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
The horses are characterised by their "large size, long legs, well-developed musculature, slender and elegant head -- set on a long, straight neck -- expressive eyes, high withers and sturdy hooves," he added.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
The sight of Richard Parker, a growling behemoth of musculature and whiskers, is the most fearsome.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2025
Christopher was conscious of his jeans—but largely it was Nighthand’s size and musculature which attracted looks from both men and women, and his strategy for moving through crowds.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
