limb

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈlim 

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

ˈlim-ləs 

adjective

limby

ˈli-mē 

adjective

see also:

out on a limb

limb

2 of 4

verb

limbed; limbing; limbs

transitive verb

1

: dismember

2

: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

limb

3 of 4

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

limby

4 of 4

adjective

ˈlimē 

often -er/-est

: having many or prominent limbs

this figured birch tends to be limby, requiring pruning

—Journal of Forestry

Synonyms of limb

Noun (1)

• branch

Examples of limb in a Sentence

Noun (1)

we hung the swing from the highest limb of the tree that we could reach

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The devices can make toys, prosthetic limbs and even airplane parts. —David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026

Verb

There’s a plethora of body oils on the market, and only so many limbs a beauty editor can test them on. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 May 2026

Some gardeners prefer to limb up hollies, removing the lower branches to expose the bottom portion of the trunk. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective

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 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing limb

• out on a limb
• phantom limb
• risk life and limb
• tear (someone) limb from limb

Rhymes for limb

• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• mim
• prim
• rim
• scrim

Kids Definition

limb

1 of 2 noun

ˈlim 

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

ˈlim-ləs 

adjective

limb

2 of 2 verb

: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

Medical Definition

limb

noun

ˈlim 

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