muscle memory

[ muhs-uhl mem-uh-ree ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscle memory¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

From a ruthless press to proactive possession football, from a daring high line to a complexly shape-shifting 3-4-3 formation, the hallmarks of Amorim’s football will be etched into muscle memory in detailed training sessions.

From BBC

Your body will get smarter, your muscle memory sharp.

From Los Angeles Times

You pick up where you left off, like muscle memory or something.

From Salon

A bit like learning how to build the same piece of Ikea furniture over and over again until it becomes like muscle memory, I suggest – just a lot more complicated.

From BBC

For her part, McIver notes that it has gotten easier with muscle memory to remember eye lines, but she still essentially has to play two versions of the same scene.

From Los Angeles Times