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musculoskeletal

American  
[muhs-kyuh-loh-skel-i-tl] / ˈmʌs kjə loʊˈskɛl ɪ tl /

adjective

  1. concerning, involving, or made up of both the muscles and the bones.

    the musculoskeletal system.


musculoskeletal British  
/ ˌmʌskjʊləʊˈskɛlɪtəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the skeleton and musculature taken together

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of musculoskeletal

First recorded in 1940–45; musculo- + skeletal


Vocabulary lists containing musculoskeletal

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.

See Examples For:

That GLP-s can either relieve back and knee pain or bring on musculoskeletal issues due to rapid weight loss is indicative of how little we know about how these powerful medications work.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

A balanced musculoskeletal system, in everyday life, helps prevent abnormal movement patterns that can lead to chronic injuries, even in nonathletes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Lilly had paid Boston-based Centrexion Therapeutics $47.5 million upfront for the exclusive worldwide rights to the drug, which was being developed for chronic inflammatory, neuropathic, and musculoskeletal pain.

From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026

In addition to their limited effectiveness, opioids were linked to a higher risk of side effects in several situations, including acute musculoskeletal pain, traumatic limb injuries, and some forms of post surgical pain.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 9, 2026

The mission would see him conduct pioneering research spanning human physiology and musculoskeletal adaptation, how prosthetics perform in microgravity, and how people move and balance in space.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

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