appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

1

: an adjunct to something larger or more important : appurtenance

2

: a usually projecting part of an animal or plant body that is typically smaller and of less functional importance than the main part to which it is attached

especially : a limb or analogous part (such as a seta)

3

[appendant] : a dependent or subordinate person

Did you know?

The Root of Appendage

Appendix isn't the only noun that comes from append. Unlike appendix, appendage doesn't suggest the end of something, but simply something attached. The word is often used in biology to refer to parts of an animal's body: an insect's antennae, mouthparts, or wings, for example. The appendages of some animals will grow back after they've been removed; a salamander, for example, can regrow a finger, and the tiny sea squirt can regrow all its appendages—and even its brain.

Synonyms

• accessory
• accessary
• accoutrement
• accouterment
• adapter
• adaptor
• add-on
• adjunct
• appliance
• attachment
• option

Examples of appendage in a Sentence

The court system acts as an appendage to the government.

an appendage of a larger political party

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers were able to conduct CT scans of the fossil, which revealed insights into the arthropod’s adaptable head and appendages. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024

The discovery sheds light on why arthropods evolved appendages protruding out of their heads. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024

The adaptability of these appendages may be one reason why there are more species of arthropods on Earth than any other group of animals. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024

Scholars have debated exactly what the equivalent of the great appendage is in living species. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

1

: something attached to a larger or more important thing

2

: a projecting part (as an antenna) of an animal or plant body

especially : an arm, leg, or similar part

Medical Definition

appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

: a subordinate or derivative body part

especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)