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

• accessory
• accessary
• accoutrement
• accouterment
• adapter
• adaptor
• add-on
• adjunct
• appliance
• attachment
• option

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

The new species was identified by its eyes, body shape, appendages, coloring, habitat and other subtle physical features, the study said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024

This proficient seafloor scavenger employs its ten appendages – eight for walking and two equipped with claws – to capitalize on scraps or dead animals drifting down from above. —Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024

As the investigation continued over the next several days, officers were unable to find a match for the appendage. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024

For the elderly, our phones are not an appendage as is true for many younger people. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024

Makeovers soon give way to maintenance, i.e. replacing some of The Creature’s missing appendages. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2024

The inside of the old steeple has become an artful appendage in the Q Prime office. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

These odd appendages certainly didn’t allow the dinosaurs to fly, and their tiny size hardly seemed to offer any utility. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024

This appendage will detach from the main body and swim away, carrying gonads that will merge with those from other disembodied rear ends and give rise to a new generation. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023

Word History

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)