muscle

Pluralmuscles

Formsmuscles, muscling, muscled

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A body part that tightens and relaxes to move parts of the body.

   Like a stretchy band that pulls two bones closer when it tightens.

   She pulled a muscle while lifting the heavy box.

   Each muscle in your arm helps you bend and lift.

   Note
2. 2
   noununcountable

   The soft body tissue that tightens to make the body move.

   Like tiny elastic threads that pull tight to move the body.

   Lifting weights helps you build muscle.

   Muscle gets shorter when it tightens, then relaxes again.

   Note
3. 3
   nounfigurativelyuncountable

   Power and strength, especially the kind that gets something done.

   Like a strong arm that can push open a door a gentle touch won't move.

   A good leader needs some muscle to get things done.

   Their argument had no muscle, so nobody listened.

   Similarclout, power, strength, teeth, force

   Oppositeweakness

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable or uncountable

   A strong, well-built body with large muscles built up by exercise.

   After a year of training, he was all muscle.

   The wrestler had thick muscle across his back.

   Similarbrawn, beef

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To push something or someone using your strength to get ahead.

   Bigger kids sometimes muscle others off the bench.

   He muscled the heavy box through the narrow door.

   Similarforce, push, shove, elbow

   Note
6. 6
   verbintransitive

   To move somewhere using a lot of force or strength.

   Trucks muscle up the hill even when it's icy.

   The big dog muscled through the gap in the fence.

   Similarpush, barge, plow, force

7. 7
   nounfigurativelyuncountable

   People hired to protect someone or to scare others with force.

   Like the big, tough guards standing outside a nightclub.

   The gang leader hired some muscle to guard the door.

   They sent muscle to frighten the shop owner.

   Similarheavies, enforcers, bodyguards, goons

   Note

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