myo-

1. a combining form meaning “muscle,” used in the formation of compound words:

   myology.

myo-

combining_form

1. muscle

   myocardium

Word History and Origins

Origin of myo-¹

Combining form representing Greek mŷs mouse, muscle

Word History and Origins

Origin of myo-¹

from Greek mus muscle

Example Sentences

The junta had a long history of "forced recruitment" even before the law was enacted, said Ye Myo Hein, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

From BBC

A father in Mandalay, U Myo Kyaw, said Tuesday that he feared that his 22-year-old son would be forced into military service after a witness saw him being taken at gunpoint by soldiers early Monday evening near their home.

From New York Times

After his son did not return, Mr. Myo Kyaw said he and his wife searched everywhere, including at police stations, but found no sign of him.

From New York Times

Last week, the shadow government’s human rights minister, Aung Myo Min, was also invited to open a human rights training program in East Timor, where he met with Ramos-Horta.

From Seattle Times

The country's charge d'affaires must leave Myanmar by Sept. 1, NUG human rights minister Aung Myo Min said on Facebook.

From Reuters

Words That Use myo-

What does myo- mean?

Myo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “muscle.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Myo- comes from the Greek mŷs, meaning “muscle” and “mouse.” Mouse? Yep, discover why at our entry for muscle.

What are variants of myo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, myo- becomes my–, as in myalgia.

Examples of myo- 

An example of a word you may have encountered that features myo- is myocardium, “the muscular substance of the heart.”

We know myo- means “muscle,” so the -cardium portion of the word? That’s right, -cardium refers to “heart,” from the Greek kardía. Myocardium literally translates to “heart muscle.”

What are some words that use the combining form myo-?

• myoatrophy
• myoblast
• myograph
• myo-inositol
• myology
• myoneural
• myosin

What are some other forms that myo- may be commonly confused with?

• myel-
• myelo-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters myo- or my- is necessarily using the combining forming myo- to denote “muscle,” e.g., myopic or myriad. Learn why myopic means “shortsighted” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

Given that myo- means “muscle” -ology means “study,” then what is myology?