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.

b

: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)

4

: a drastic or desperate act or measure

driven to extremities

Synonyms

• boiling point
• breaking point
• clutch
• conjuncture
• crisis
• crossroad(s)
• crunch
• crunch time
• Dunkirk
• emergency
• exigency
• flash point
• head
• juncture
• tinderbox
• zero hour

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

Nike will leverage its Sport Research Lab to improve footwear safety and address lower extremity injuries. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

With handicap placards, people expect lower extremity mobility aids or wheelchairs. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Following a spinal cord injury classified as incomplete, some communication between the brain and extremities is preserved, and some degree of natural recovery of walking ability is not uncommon in mice or humans. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Dec. 2024

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later found that Graves died of blunt impact injury of his head, neck, torso and extremities, according to the warrant affidavit. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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