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

• boiling point
• breaking point
• clutch
• conjuncture
• crisis
• crossroad(s)
• crunch
• crunch time
• Dunkirk
• emergency
• exigency
• flash point
• head
• juncture
• tinderbox
• zero hour

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

Inside the suitcase were human remains which consisted of a female torso without the extremities, head and neck, and a black trash bag, which was next to the neck area, the warrant affidavit said. —Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025

Don't use a tourniquet Don't try to suction out the venom, and don't cut or slice the bite Keep the affected extremity elevated while traveling to a medical facility. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

When life is beset by extremities, an unfamiliar setting brings an illusion of reprieve, so in the previous story the trip to England is welcomed by Lilian as a geographical distraction. —Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

Between the six patients, there were gunshots to the torso, face and other extremities, Howard said. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 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