1
: a representative specimen (see specimen sense 1) : sample
musters of goods for sale
2
a
: an act of assembling
specifically
: formal military inspection
Call out the troops to stand muster.
b
: critical examination
slipshod work that would never pass muster
c
: an assembled group : collection
a muster of biographical facts—
Time
Time
d
: inventory
were sent … to take the musters of this expedition—G. R. Elton
G. R. Elton
mustered; mustering
ˈmə-st(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to cause to gather : convene
b
: to enroll formally
—usually used with in or into
was mustered into the army
c
: to call the roll of
3
: to amount to : comprise
: to come together : congregate
Examples of muster in a Sentence
Noun
a muster of concerned citizens
considering the muster of suggestions that were submitted for “word of the year”
Verb
They pushed the car with all the strength they could muster.
a command to muster the troops
Recent Examples on the Web
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The network claimed that the series’ producers violated their contract by not providing finished episodes to its censors in a sufficiently timely manner (an assertion that would not pass muster in a subsequent civil-court case won by the brothers).
—Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muster
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
In a struggle that eventually leads to Jayson holding Maeve hostage outside, Grasso musters strength and shoots Jayson in the head, in a small act of vengeance for Lizzie.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
The network claimed that the series’ producers violated their contract by not providing finished episodes to its censors in a sufficiently timely manner (an assertion that would not pass muster in a subsequent civil-court case won by the brothers).
—Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Quarterback Geno Smith was highly ineffective, passing for just 67 yards on 10 completions, while the Vegas run game mustered just 25 yards on 11 carries.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.
—Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muster
Cite this Entry
“Muster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muster. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muster
1 of 2 verb
mus·ter
ˈməs-tər
mustered; mustering
-t(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to enroll formally
was mustered into the army
b
: to assemble (as troops) for roll call or inspection
2
: to stir up or bring to action
all the strength I could muster
muster
2 of 2 noun1
a
: an act of assembling
especially
: a formal military inspection or drill
b
: an assembled group : collection
2
: critical examination
work that did not pass muster
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