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.

b

: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)

4

: a drastic or desperate act or measure

driven to extremities

Synonyms of extremity

• crisis
• head

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

The autopsy showed blunt force trauma to Luna's face, neck, groin and upper extremities. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze, usually on extremities like fingers, toes, ears, or the nose. —Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025

Over the last decade, Dern slipped into a comfortable space in pop culture, playing rich-white-lady extremity on Big Little Lies and in Marriage Story. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The only key player Cristobal said will definitely be out is nickel cornerback Keionte Scott, who has missed the past two weeks with an undisclosed lower extremity injury. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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