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
There are ways to help combat these effects, from compression cuffs to keep blood in the lower extremities, to certain medicines to reduce the risk of kidney stones.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
But the leafy carrot extremities can make for an excellent herby additive, and beet tops can be cooked down like greens.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
Where were the others? After getting Lewis down to camp, Grace took him into a tent to find severely frostbitten extremities.
—Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
What Wang had cut was the popliteal artery, which supplies blood to the left lower extremity.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
But the leafy carrot extremities can make for an excellent herby additive, and beet tops can be cooked down like greens.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
Where were the others? After getting Lewis down to camp, Grace took him into a tent to find severely frostbitten extremities.
—Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
What Wang had cut was the popliteal artery, which supplies blood to the left lower extremity.
—Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 27 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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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