extremity

American  

[ik-strem-i-tee] / ɪkˈstrɛm ɪ ti /

noun

• extremities
  plural

1. the extreme or terminal point, limit, or part of something.

   Synonyms:

   boundary, border, verge, termination, end

2. a limb of the body.

3. Usually extremities. the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot.

   to experience cold in one's extremities.

4. Often extremities. a condition or circumstance of extreme need, distress, etc..

   to suffer the extremities of being poor.

5. the utmost or any extreme degree.

   the extremity of joy.

6. an extreme or extraordinary measure, act, etc..

   to go to any extremity to feed the children.

7. extreme nature or character.

   the extremity of his views on foreign trade.

8. Archaic. a person's last moment before death.

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extremity British  

/ ɪkˈstrɛmɪtɪ /

noun

1. the farthest or outermost point or section; termination

2. the greatest or most intense degree

3. an extreme condition or state, as of adversity or disease

4. a limb, such as a leg, arm, or wing, or the part of such a limb farthest from the trunk

5. archaic (usually plural) a drastic or severe measure

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superextremity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• extremities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of extremity

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word extrēmitās. See extreme, -ity

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Explanation

An extremity is a limb or appendage of the body, particularly the hands and feet. If the weather is cold, you have to be sure to protect your extremities from frostbite by wearing gloves, warm socks, and boots. The noun extremity also means the outermost point or part — the one that's farthest away. Nauset Light Beach on Cape Cod, for example, is the easternmost extremity in the state of Massachusetts. Extremity can also refer to the greatest degree, especially of an emotion or physical feeling. The extremity of the pain in your ankle might make you realize you should go to the emergency room for x-rays.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extremity extremities

Vaniček is clearly inspired by the extremity that has marked so much horror from France over the last two decades, in notorious exports such as “High Tension” and “Martyrs.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

On behalf of Bosh's next of kin, Mark Stewart KC said: "People might wonder and ask why it is that police officers who are armed do not shoot to injure by shooting an extremity."

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.

From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2025

McSpadden also cited the ongoing efforts to reintroduce jaguars to the southern extremity of Ibera Argentina.

From Salon ● May 31, 2024

There was no time to ponder the extremity and futility of our progress.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Your core temperature continues to plummet because the chilled blood from your extremities returns to your heart.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

The border frames an oddly shaped expanse that resembles a shredded kite, with San Pedro and Wilmington dangling from a string at the southern extremities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2025

It listed a number of "targeted disabilities": "Hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism".

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2025

These complications include carotid artery calcification, calcification of the abdominal aorta and peripheral vessels in the lower extremities, and small vessel disease in the feet.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2024

I relate the way the poor Tree Man’s extremities hung from him like gnarled trunks, and with that disturbing image firmly planted in my head, I’m pumped, confident, and take a bigger bite.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

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Related Words

• terminus

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