appendage

American  

[uh-pen-dij] / əˈpɛn dɪdʒ /

noun

• appendages
  plural

1. a subordinate part attached to something; an auxiliary part; addition.

2. Anatomy, Zoology. any member of the body diverging from the axial trunk.

3. Botany, Mycology. any subsidiary part superadded to another part.

4. a person in a subordinate or dependent position, especially a servile or parasitic follower.

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appendage British  

/ əˈpɛndɪdʒ /

noun

1. an ancillary or secondary part attached to a main part; adjunct

2. zoology any organ that projects from the trunk of animals such as arthropods

3. botany any subsidiary part of a plant, such as a branch or leaf

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• appendaged
  adjective
• unappendaged
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• appendages
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of appendage

First recorded in 1640–50; append + -age

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Explanation

Use the noun appendage to describe something that’s attached to something larger. Your arm is an appendage to your body. Appendage often describes body parts, either on humans or animals. If it’s something that sticks out — like a finger, tail, or leg — chances are it can be called an appendage. The word can also be used figuratively to refer to something that’s associated with something larger or more important, like a husband who’s a mere appendage to his famous wife. In this sense, the word takes on a negative connotation: the appendage is not important.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

appendage appendages

Not everyone understood that Mary’s outflung left arm isn’t some randomly flailing appendage but a gesture pregnant with meaning—multiple ones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

It is a device that reduces stroke risk for AFib patients by sealing the left atrial appendage, which is where stroke risk starts.

From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026

What’s important is understanding how human hands can grasp an object, and then extrapolating that to whatever synthetic appendage has been chosen, she added.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 27, 2025

He played with a small cast on his left hand and was even using that bandaged appendage to stiff-arm defenders.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

I can still see his tiny low-set ears and that pointed stub of a chin, a meaty appendage that looked like it was added as a mere afterthought.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

As the swift air blows you back, you can experiment by twisting and turning your new appendages to experience the lift force and drop of various movements.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

The ghostly appendages stack themselves in front of the singer, forming a protective wall, then reassemble to ring her like an oval frame around a portrait.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

Videos captured by the crew confirm it is a mesmerizing creature with long pale “legs” trailing from thicker appendages connected to a pale body composed of two fins that undulate languidly in tandem.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Living hexapods have six walking legs, all attached to the thorax, while appendages on the abdomen have been almost completely lost.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

Wicked instrument-tipped appendages protruded from its body like arms: a saw blade, a set of shears, long rods whose purpose could only be guessed.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

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Related Words

• arm
• extremity
• foot
• hand
• leg
• limb

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