muscle memory

American  

[muhs-uhl mem-uh-ree] / ˈmʌs əl ˌmɛm ə ri /

noun

1. Psychology, Physiology. the ability, acquired through repetition, to complete a particular muscular movement quickly, efficiently, and without conscious effort.

---

Etymology

Origin of muscle memory

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

muscle memory

But he ably defends Alys from a group of invaders, relying on muscle memory and — perhaps — a sense of honor to pay her back for saving his life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

They have muscle memory from their last Ashes rebuild four years ago, against the same opponents, beginning on the same ground.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

“I’m convinced 80% of people are just ordering it out of muscle memory at this point and have no idea how much better Coke Zero is.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

“The muscle memory from the post-‘liberation day’ selloff is still clearly with investors,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Reilly Wealth, during an interview with MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 8, 2026

The movement is like muscle memory, and I feel that— in this moment—the soil and I are one.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer