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
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
Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Officers found a 16-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her lower extremity in the 200 block of Rivertree.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Apr. 2026
An autopsy found that Reyes died of blunt force trauma to her head, neck, torso and left lower extremity, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Her injuries included possible lower and upper extremity fractures, along with abrasions and contusions to the head, squad officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Officers found a 16-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to her lower extremity in the 200 block of Rivertree.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Apr. 2026
An autopsy found that Reyes died of blunt force trauma to her head, neck, torso and left lower extremity, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Her injuries included possible lower and upper extremity fractures, along with abrasions and contusions to the head, squad officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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