appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij How to pronounce appendage (audio)
1
: an adjunct to something larger or more important : appurtenance
2
: a usually projecting part of an animal or plant body that is typically smaller and of less functional importance than the main part to which it is attached
especially : a limb or analogous part (such as a seta)
3
[appendant] : a dependent or subordinate person

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The Root of Appendage

Appendix isn't the only noun that comes from append. Unlike appendix, appendage doesn't suggest the end of something, but simply something attached. The word is often used in biology to refer to parts of an animal's body: an insect's antennae, mouthparts, or wings, for example. The appendages of some animals will grow back after they've been removed; a salamander, for example, can regrow a finger, and the tiny sea squirt can regrow all its appendages—and even its brain.

Examples of appendage in a Sentence

The court system acts as an appendage to the government. an appendage of a larger political party
Recent Examples on the Web With the rise of the ruling United Russia party, the remaining major parties—the Communist Party and Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s populist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia—became appendages of the Kremlin. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 Some, like whales, use the appendage for swimming, while others, like horses, use them to keep away flies. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024 Here's what to look for, according to the University of Arizona: Tomato hornworm caterpillars Large green caterpillars with white diagonal stripes and a horn-like appendage. The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 Slide your trotters into the foot holes (the liners zip out for easy cleaning) and let the machine compress, roll and pummel your lower appendages over the course of a timed 15- or 20-minute cycle. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 It was propelled by four paddling appendages and might have been capable of speeds of 30 mph. William Booth, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 A lot of the time, we are shown Tibetan art as part of Chinese art — as an appendage because Tibet is now part of China. Christy Choi, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 Handheld shooting, with the camera almost uninterruptedly floating around Dakota, like an invisible appendage attached to her body, ensure that Johan’s striking face dominates every space and that there’s no chance for the viewer to feel detached from her. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Jan. 2024 Then there are some organisms that would rather grow a butt that develops into an autonomous appendage equipped with its own antennae, eyes, and brain. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of appendage was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near appendage

Cite this Entry

“Appendage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appendage. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

appendage

noun
ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij How to pronounce appendage (audio)
1
: something attached to a larger or more important thing
2
: a projecting part (as an antenna) of an animal or plant body
especially : an arm, leg, or similar part

Medical Definition

appendage

noun
ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij How to pronounce appendage (audio)
: a subordinate or derivative body part
especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)

More from Merriam-Webster on appendage

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