appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

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

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of appendage

• accessory
• option
• appliance

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

Given the absence of venom, the researchers propose that these arachnids likely use strong raptorial pedipalps (claw-like appendages). — Jay Kakade july 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026

The footage, recorded over the Atlantic Ocean in 2020, shows a blob-like object with several narrow appendages hanging beneath it. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Scenario planning is not a one-off exercise nor an appendage to managing the business. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Their hearts and parapodia (appendages for swimming and crawling) regenerate, and in 17 days the slugs are good as new. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

append + -age

Note: As noted by the Oxford English Dictionary, first edition, the formation may have been to some extent conditioned by appen(n)age, variant spellings of appanage, matched by equivalent variant spellings of the cognate word in French.

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

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 

: a subordinate or derivative body part

especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)