1
a
: one of the projecting paired appendages (such as wings) of an animal body used especially for movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs
b
: a leg or arm of a human being
combat soldiers who had lost limbs
2
: a large primary branch of a tree
3
: an active member or agent
a limb of the law
5
: a mischievous child
limbed; limbing; limbs
1
: the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body
2
: the expanded portion of an organ or structure
especially
: the upper spreading portion of a corolla (as of the phlox) whose lower part consists of a tube of fused petals
Synonyms
Examples of limb in a Sentence
Noun (1)
we hung the swing from the highest limb of the tree that we could reach
Recent Examples on the Web
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
Low water temperatures — starting at about 50 to 60 degrees — can affect your ability to breathe and move your limbs, weather service meteorologist Chelsea Peters told The Sacramento Bee in 2023.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 23 May 2024
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Many people are skeptical enough of Bigfoot's existence, but what about a murderous Bigfoot who tore three men limb from limb?
—Rachel Yang, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for limb 
Noun
The utility advised residents to not attempt to remove debris and tree limbs from areas near power lines.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
Low water temperatures — starting at about 50 to 60 degrees — can affect your ability to breathe and move your limbs, weather service meteorologist Chelsea Peters told The Sacramento Bee in 2023.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 23 May 2024
Verb
On its sides and limbs the toad has lighter orange-brown patches.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Many people are skeptical enough of Bigfoot's existence, but what about a murderous Bigfoot who tore three men limb from limb?
—Rachel Yang, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for limb
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'limb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near limb
Cite this Entry
“Limb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limb. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
limb
2 of 2 verb
: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)
Medical Definition
limb
noun1
: one of the projecting paired appendages (as an arm, wing, fin, or parapodium) of an animal body made up of diverse tissues (as epithelium, muscle, and bone) derived from two or more germ layers and concerned especially with movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs
especially
: a human leg or arm
2
: a branch or arm of something (as an anatomical part)
the descending limb of Henle's loop
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