limb
lihm
Limb (noun) means an arm, leg, or wing — a major projecting part of a body used for movement. Example: “She broke a limb skiing last winter.”
noun
1
An arm, leg, or wing — a major projecting part of a body used for movement.
"She broke a limb skiing last winter."
"The injured fox dragged one back limb as it limped across the road."
"Stretch each limb slowly before you start your morning run."
2
A large branch of a tree.
"The storm snapped a thick limb off the old oak."
"The children made a swing from a rope tied to a low limb."
"A bird had built its nest on a sturdy limb high above the path."
verb
1
To cut the limbs or branches off something.
"The crew limbed the fallen tree before hauling it away."
"Before the logs can be sawn, someone has to limb the felled pine."
"We spent the afternoon limbing branches from the storm-damaged tree."
How to use limb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn arm or leg (on a person or animal), or a large tree branch.
Common mistake
The idiom "out on a limb" means taking a risk by saying or doing something without support — it has nothing to do with injury.
Common pairings
out on a limb
lose a limb
a limb of the tree
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Word forms
- Plural
- limbs
- Third person singular
- limbs
- Past tense
- limbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She broke a _____ skiing last winter.
Etymology
From Old English lim ("limb, branch"); the silent "b" was added in spelling around the late 1500s, similar to the "b" in crumb.
Class of 1500
limb joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for limb
See all rhymes for limb →Frequently asked questions
What does “limb” mean?
The word “limb” means an arm, leg, or wing — a major projecting part of a body used for movement. In plain terms, an arm or leg (on a person or animal), or a large tree branch.
How do you pronounce “limb”?
“Limb” is pronounced lihm (/lɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “limb” in a sentence?
Here is “limb” used in a sentence: “She broke a limb skiing last winter.”
What is another word for “limb”?
Words with a similar meaning to “limb” include delimb.
What part of speech is “limb”?
Depending on how it is used, “limb” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “limb” come from?
The word “limb” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English lim ("limb, branch"); the silent "b" was added in spelling around the late 1500s, similar to the "b" in crumb.
Is “limb” a common word?
“Limb” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “limb” have?
“Limb” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an arm, leg, or wing — a major projecting part of a body used for movement.
What is the difference between a "limb" and an "appendage"?
A "limb" specifically refers to an arm, leg, or wing — a major projecting body part used for movement. "Appendage" is broader and can include limbs but also smaller projecting parts like fingers or antennae.
Can "limb" refer to something other than a body part?
Yes, "limb" also refers to a large branch of a tree. The two senses share the idea of a major part projecting from a central body.
What does it mean to "limb" something as a verb?
As a verb, "limb" means to cut the limbs or branches off something, most often used in the context of trimming trees.
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