countable/uncountable a piece of flesh that connects one bone to another and is used for moving a particular part of your body
These exercises are good for your stomachmuscles.
pull a muscle (=injure a muscle):
He limped out of the game after pulling a muscle .
Synonyms and related words
Muscles and tendons
abductor
abs
Achilles tendon
1a
countable one of the big lumps that you can see on someone’s arms, legs, chest etc that show that they are strong, especially because they do a lot of exercise
Synonyms and related words
Muscles and tendons
abductor
abs
Achilles tendon
2
uncountable physical strength
It’s going to take a lot of muscle to lift the fridge.
Synonyms and related words
Physical strength
strength
force
energy
2a
the power that a person or organization uses to influence or control a situation
military/financial/political muscle
The stars will use their muscle to make the campaign a success.
Synonyms and related words
Power, authority, influence and leadership
leadership
power
authority
3
uncountable informalmen who are employed by someone to protect them or who use force to make other people obey them
Synonyms and related words
People who guard or look after places or people
attack dog
beefeater
bodyguard
phrases
not move a muscle
muscle
noun
US /ˈmʌs(ə)l/
Other entries for this word
muscleverb
muscle carnoun
Molson musclenoun
muscle memorynoun
ciliary musclenoun
erector musclenoun
muscle dysmorphianoun
intercostal musclenoun
not move a musclephrase
sternocleidomastoid musclenoun
put some muscle into itphrase
deltoid musclenoun at deltoid
Word Forms
singular
muscle
plural
muscles
DEFINITIONS3
1
countable/uncountable a piece of flesh that connects one bone to another and is used for moving a particular part of your body
These exercises are good for your stomachmuscles.
pull a muscle (=injure a muscle):
He limped out of the game after pulling a muscle .
Synonyms and related words
Muscles and tendons
abductor
abs
Achilles tendon
1a
countable one of the big lumps that you can see on someone’s arms, legs, chest, etc. that show that they are strong, especially because they do a lot of exercise
Synonyms and related words
Muscles and tendons
abductor
abs
Achilles tendon
2
uncountable physical strength
It’s going to take a lot of muscle to lift the refrigerator.
Synonyms and related words
Physical strength
strength
force
energy
2a
the power that a person or organization uses to influence or control a situation
military/financial/political muscle
The stars will use their muscle to make the campaign a success.
Synonyms and related words
Power, authority, influence and leadership
oligopoly
superpower
heft
3
uncountable informalmen who are employed by someone to protect them or who use force to make other people obey them
Synonyms and related words
People who guard or look after places or people
attack dog
beefeater
bodyguard
phrases
not move a muscle
put some muscle into it
muscle
verb
UK /ˈmʌs(ə)l/
Other entries for this word
musclenoun
muscle carnoun
Molson musclenoun
muscle memorynoun
ciliary musclenoun
erector musclenoun
muscle dysmorphianoun
intercostal musclenoun
not move a musclephrase
sternocleidomastoid musclenoun
deltoid musclenoun at deltoid
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
muscle
he/she/it
muscles
present participle
muscling
past tense
muscled
past participle
muscled
phrasal verb
muscle in
intransitive
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
muscle in
he/she/it
muscles in
present participle
muscling in
past tense
muscled in
past participle
muscled in
1
to use your power or influence to get involved in a situation in which you are not needed or wanted
They are trying to muscle in and take away our customers.
muscle in on:
We didn’t appreciate his muscling in on our conversation.
Synonyms and related words
To take part, or to become involved
join in
participate
involve
muscle
verb
US /ˈmʌs(ə)l/
Other entries for this word
musclenoun
muscle carnoun
Molson musclenoun
muscle memorynoun
ciliary musclenoun
erector musclenoun
muscle dysmorphianoun
intercostal musclenoun
not move a musclephrase
sternocleidomastoid musclenoun
put some muscle into itphrase
deltoid musclenoun at deltoid
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
muscle
he/she/it
muscles
present participle
muscling
past tense
muscled
past participle
muscled
phrasal verb
muscle in
intransitive
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
muscle in
he/she/it
muscles in
present participle
muscling in
past tense
muscled in
past participle
muscled in
1
to use your power or influence to get involved in a situation in which you are not needed or wanted
They are trying to muscle in and take away our customers.
muscle in on:
We didn’t appreciate his muscling in on our conversation.