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.

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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

More than make a career, what it does is it gives you sort of a muscle memory to start to see the things that human beings do that are not right.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 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

They leap into battle, the steps to the dance burned into their muscle memory.

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson