limb

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlim 

1

a

: one of the projecting paired appendages (such as wings) of an animal body used especially for movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs

b

: a leg or arm of a human being

combat soldiers who had lost limbs

2

: a large primary branch of a tree

3

: an active member or agent

a limb of the law

4

: extension, branch

a limb of the sea

5

: a mischievous child

limbless

ˈlim-ləs 

adjective

limby

ˈli-mē 

adjective

limb

2 of 3

verb

limbed; limbing; limbs

transitive verb

1

: dismember

2

: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

limb

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body

2

: the expanded portion of an organ or structure

especially : the upper spreading portion of a corolla (as of the phlox) whose lower part consists of a tube of fused petals

Phrases

out on a limb

: in an exposed or dangerous position with little chance of retreat

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bough
• branch

Examples of limb in a Sentence

Noun (1)

we hung the swing from the highest limb of the tree that we could reach

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In some cases, severe frostbite may require surgical amputation (removal of the limbs or extremities). —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Nov. 2024

Consider pruning a few limbs from overhead trees to allow more sunlight to penetrate. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

How to Make Gourd Snakes Most snakes can climb a tree and slither from limb to limb with ease—especially ones made from long-neck dipper gourds. —Beverly Rivers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2024

Thinning removes the entire shoot or limb from the main branch or trunk. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English lim, from Old English; akin to Old Norse limr limb and perhaps to Old English lith limb

Noun (2)

Latin limbus border

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing limb

• phantom limb
• risk life and limb
• tear (someone) limb from limb

Kids Definition

limb

1 of 2 noun

ˈlim 

1

: any of the paired parts (as an arm, wing, or leg) of an animal that stick out from the body and are used mostly in moving and grasping

especially : a leg or arm of a human being

2

: a large branch of a tree

limbless

ˈlim-ləs 

adjective

limb

2 of 2 verb

: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

Medical Definition

limb

noun

ˈlim 

1

: one of the projecting paired appendages (as an arm, wing, fin, or parapodium) of an animal body made up of diverse tissues (as epithelium, muscle, and bone) derived from two or more germ layers and concerned especially with movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs

especially : a human leg or arm

2

: a branch or arm of something (as an anatomical part)

the descending limb of Henle's loop