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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This particular international symbol consists of a single body silhouette with flames and tires covering the lower limbs. Amy Wilentz, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 For reasons that are not fully understood, several hundred parrots seek evening accommodations each night in the limbs of fig and London plane trees lining a bustling stretch of Rosemead Boulevard in Temple City. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Relapses came with blurred vision or numbness in one of her limbs. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Consider all lines, as well as trees or limbs in contact with them, potentially energized. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 The new paper does not go out on a limb to pinpoint which specific trait led to the success of snakes. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 The hip throw and the pullback by the residual limb require significant work, and the energy utilization in this type of leg is 30-60% higher than in non-amputees. Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Firefighters from Huntersville and Cornelius arrived at the crash scene to find the vehicle in the woods, covered in limbs and sitting on its roof, a photo shows. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 The shape of the shadow incorporates the precise shape of the Moon’s limb at the time of totality. Michael Zeiler, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Many people are skeptical enough of Bigfoot's existence, but what about a murderous Bigfoot who tore three men limb from limb? Rachel Yang, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2021 Sam tears the puppet guards limb from limb in, and once the mayhem is over the show reveals the bodies and carnage left behind. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Oct. 2023 The lopper is great for greenery, live branches, and limbs up to 1.75 inches thick. Jacquelene Amoquandoh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023 One of the many issues that have flummoxed scientists researching COVID-19 is the nose-to-toes diversity of its symptoms, which extend well beyond the usual range of respiratory infections: from loss of smell to blood clots and stroke to limb pain and discolored COVID toes. Katrin Legg, Scientific American, 24 June 2021 What if there is a tree or limb on it? Stephen Singer, courant.com, 6 Aug. 2020 The shots are used to help control everything from migraines to limb spasms. Jenna Schnuer, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2023 Specific microRNA molecules are key to limb regeneration in salamanders. Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'limb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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

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