appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

1

: an adjunct to something larger or more important : appurtenance

2

: a usually projecting part of an animal or plant body that is typically smaller and of less functional importance than the main part to which it is attached

especially : a limb or analogous part (such as a seta)

3

[appendant] : a dependent or subordinate person

Did you know?

The Root of Appendage

Appendix isn't the only noun that comes from append. Unlike appendix, appendage doesn't suggest the end of something, but simply something attached. The word is often used in biology to refer to parts of an animal's body: an insect's antennae, mouthparts, or wings, for example. The appendages of some animals will grow back after they've been removed; a salamander, for example, can regrow a finger, and the tiny sea squirt can regrow all its appendages—and even its brain.

Synonyms

• accessory
• accessary
• accoutrement
• accouterment
• adapter
• adaptor
• add-on
• adjunct
• appliance
• attachment
• option

Examples of appendage in a Sentence

The court system acts as an appendage to the government.

an appendage of a larger political party

Recent Examples on the Web

Third place went to Chris Romaine for an image of a cannabis plant leaf, which reveals cannabinoid vesicles as pink bubbles on hair-like plant appendages called trichomes. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2024

Assuming that wrinkles help with trunk flexibility, this would be consistent with other differences between the species—namely, that African elephants have two finger-like appendages at the ends of their trunks that allow for small pinching maneuvers, while Asian elephants have just one. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

Figuring out how these special appendages evolved could help scientists understand how evolution allows for adaptations to very specific environments. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Sep. 2024

His arms mutate into striped appendages that are massaged by oversized toothbrushes. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

1

: something attached to a larger or more important thing

2

: a projecting part (as an antenna) of an animal or plant body

especially : an arm, leg, or similar part

Medical Definition

appendage

noun

ap·​pend·​age ə-ˈpen-dij 

: a subordinate or derivative body part

especially : a limb or analogous part (as a seta)