1
b
: the amount of space or surface that something occupies or the distance over which it extends : magnitude
the extent of the forest
c
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
using talents to the greatest extent
2
a
: seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain
also
: the condition of being so seized
b
: a writ giving to the creditor temporary possession of the debtor's property
3
archaic
: valuation (as of land) in Great Britain especially for taxation
Examples of extent in a Sentence
She tried to determine the extent of the damage.
the full extent of human knowledge
He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Massive basin never seen before For the first time, astronauts have seen the full extent of this lunar basin with their own eyes, according to NASA.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The extent of the injuries to the other victim has not been released.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The extent of the injury and whether Wembanyama will be available for the Spurs' final three games of the regular season — all at home — against Portland (Wednesday), Dallas (Friday) and Denver (Sunday) wasn't known after Monday's game.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
And both reckon with the extent to which historical ignorance and the calculated distortion of the past threaten the foundation on which our country was built.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
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Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
The extent of the injuries to the other victim has not been released.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The extent of the injury and whether Wembanyama will be available for the Spurs' final three games of the regular season — all at home — against Portland (Wednesday), Dallas (Friday) and Denver (Sunday) wasn't known after Monday's game.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
And both reckon with the extent to which historical ignorance and the calculated distortion of the past threaten the foundation on which our country was built.
—Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extent
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extent. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extent
noun
ex·tent
ik-ˈstent 
1
: the range, distance, or space over or through which something extends
the extent of the Roman empire
2
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
the extent of her knowledge
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