limb

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 adjective
limby adjective

limb

2 of 3

verb

limbed; limbing; limbs

transitive verb

1
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for limb 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of limb was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near limb

Cite this Entry

“Limb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limb. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

limb

1 of 2 noun
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 adjective

limb

2 of 2 verb
: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

Medical Definition

limb

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on limb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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