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

Anyone who has recovered from a broken bone knows these nifty appendages have a remarkable ability to repair themselves. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 5 Dec. 2024

This fleshy conglomerate feels vaguely seductive despite having only navels for orifices, only knee-like lumps for appendages. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024

The arthropod also doesn’t seem to have eyes, which suggests that its front appendage was used to sense the environment and search for food in deep, dark habitats. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

And in most cases, the fish can continue to live and feed normally, albeit with a new and unusual appendage. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 17 Aug. 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)