limb

1 of 3

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 3

verb

limbed; limbing; limbs

transitive verb

1

: dismember

2

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

limb

3 of 3

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

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

If the pressure isn’t quickly released, compartment syndrome can lead to permanent damage and, in severe cases, be life-threatening or cost a person a limb. —Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

The great room of the house, a space inspired by the forest city Caras Galadhon in The Lord of the Rings, boasts a cathedral ceiling that soars 40 feet in the air and is crossed by branches, tree limbs and vines. —Mark Lamster architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026

Verb

Atlas can also spin its torso, head, and limbs a full 360 degrees, which expands its range of motion when moving items in a warehouse setting. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Acral peeling skin syndrome is a rare, usually painless genetic condition that causes the skin on your hands, feet, and sometimes limbs to peel. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

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