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.
Saturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities
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
The trooper, who was wounded in the lower extremity, and the deputy were taken to a local hospital.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The tingling in these extremities can happen abruptly but usually only last for a few minutes.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Clinical accuracy is not something with which poets have traditionally tended to preoccupy themselves, but Tennyson’s account of mental extremity impressed the experts.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
The girl was taken to Children’s Hospital with injuries to her extremities and abrasions to her head.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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Doug Myers, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The tingling in these extremities can happen abruptly but usually only last for a few minutes.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Clinical accuracy is not something with which poets have traditionally tended to preoccupy themselves, but Tennyson’s account of mental extremity impressed the experts.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
The girl was taken to Children’s Hospital with injuries to her extremities and abrasions to her head.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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