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
Based on her history of heterosexual extremity, I was concerned, but glad to be proven wrong.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the importance of the Ali-Frazier match derives from the extremity of those blood-sport contradictions.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
As blood is draining from your head down to your lower extremities, your body is going to help push it back up.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Even short periods of convalescence, from one to three days, increase the likelihood of a condition called deep venous thrombosis, which can cause clots to break loose in the extremities and travel through the bloodstream, passing through the heart and lodging in the lungs.
—Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the importance of the Ali-Frazier match derives from the extremity of those blood-sport contradictions.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
As blood is draining from your head down to your lower extremities, your body is going to help push it back up.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Even short periods of convalescence, from one to three days, increase the likelihood of a condition called deep venous thrombosis, which can cause clots to break loose in the extremities and travel through the bloodstream, passing through the heart and lodging in the lungs.
—Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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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