extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstre-mə-tē 
plural extremities
1
a
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
the island's westernmost extremity
b
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
2
a
: extreme danger or critical need
b
: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
3
a
: an intense degree
the extremity of his participation—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities
Synonyms
Examples of extremity in a Sentence
The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine.
made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity
Recent Examples on the Web
The young Calgary Flames netminder stretches his extremities, christens his crease by squirting it with whatever’s in his water bottle and might momentarily skate around his net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Using World Pediatrics’ records in 2016, 2018, and 2019 for its pediatric upper extremity orthopedic mission trips, the research concluded that cost-effective surgical treatments for the upper extremity can be delivered through these orthopedic medical mission trips.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Following widespread adoption of this tourniquet, deaths from extremity bleeding dropped by two-thirds.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
On Cunningham: Cunningham’s hands are like chords of music; full articulation flows straight to the electric extremities.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity 
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Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Using World Pediatrics’ records in 2016, 2018, and 2019 for its pediatric upper extremity orthopedic mission trips, the research concluded that cost-effective surgical treatments for the upper extremity can be delivered through these orthopedic medical mission trips.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
Following widespread adoption of this tourniquet, deaths from extremity bleeding dropped by two-thirds.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
On Cunningham: Cunningham’s hands are like chords of music; full articulation flows straight to the electric extremities.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity
Dictionary Entries Near extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest limit, point, or part
2
: an end part of a limb of the body (as a hand or foot)
3
: an extreme degree (as of emotion or pain)
Medical Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
2
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
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