extent

noun

ex·​tent ik-ˈstent How to pronounce extent (audio)
1
a
: the range over which something extends : scope
the extent of her jurisdiction
b
: the amount of space or surface that something occupies or the distance over which it extends : magnitude
the extent of the forest
c
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
using talents to the greatest extent
2
a
: seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain
also : the condition of being so seized
b
: a writ giving to a creditor temporary possession of his debtor's property
3
archaic : valuation (as of land) in Great Britain especially for taxation

Examples of extent in a Sentence

She tried to determine the extent of the damage. the full extent of human knowledge He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To a lesser extent, McDavid was part of Leon Draisaitl’s Rocket-winning act this season. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 26 May 2025 What to do instead: Make getting high-quality sleep a priority, to the extent that that’s possible. Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025 President Trump issued an April 25 executive order requiring his administration to identify and (to the extent legally possible) eliminate anticompetitive federal regulations (in effect, ACMDs). Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Iris even lays out the exact order in which everyone will go and the sort of hazards to look out for, which means the protagonists second-guess their every step to a Looney Tunes–level extent. David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for extent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estente, extente land valuation, from extendre, estendre to survey, evaluate, literally, to extend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of extent was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extent. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

extent

noun
ex·​tent ik-ˈstent How to pronounce extent (audio)
1
: the range, distance, or space over or through which something extends
the extent of the Roman empire
2
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
the extent of her knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on extent

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