limb

UK: /ˈlɪm/ US: /lɪm/ ,(lim)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

limb¹ /lɪm/   n. [countable]

1. Anatomy one of the paired bodily parts of animals, used esp. for moving or grasping;
   a leg, arm, or wing.
2. a large or main branch of a tree.

Idioms

3. Idioms out on a limb, in a risky or dangerous situation.
4. risk life and limb, to take a dangerous risk or chance that could result in physical injury or harm.

limb•less, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

limb¹  (lim), n. 

1. Anatomy, Zoology a part or member of an animal body distinct from the head and trunk, as a leg, arm, or wing:
   the lower limbs; artificial limbs.
2. a large or main branch of a tree.
3. a projecting part or member:
   the four limbs of a cross.
4. a person or thing regarded as a part, member, branch, offshoot, or scion of something:
   a limb of the central committee.
5. Sport [Archery.] the upper or lower part of a bow.
6. Informal Terms a mischievous child, imp, or young scamp.
7. Idioms out on a limb, in a dangerous or compromising situation;
   vulnerable:
   The company overextended itself financially and was soon out on a limb.

v.t. 

8. to cut the limbs from (a felled tree).

• bef. 900; Middle English, Old English lim; akin to Old Norse lim foliage, limr limb, līmi rod, Latin līmus aslant, līmen threshold

limb′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. extremity.
• 2. See branch. 

limb²  (lim), n. 

1. Astronomy the edge of the disk of the sun, a moon, or a planet.
2. Surveying the graduated edge of a quadrant or similar instrument.
3. [Bot.]
   • the upper spreading part of a gamopetalous corolla.
   • the expanded portion of a petal, sepal, or leaf.

• Latin limbus; see limbus², limbo¹
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

limb / lɪm/ noun

1. an arm or leg, or the analogous part on an animal, such as a wing
2. any of the main branches of a tree
3. a branching or projecting section or member; extension
4. a person or thing considered to be a member, part, or agent of a larger group or thing
5. a mischievous child (esp in limb of Satanorlimb of the devil)
6. out on a limb ⇒ in a precarious or questionable position
7. isolated, esp because of unpopular opinions

verb

1. (transitive)
   a rare word for dismember

Etymology: Old English lim; related to Old Norse limr

ˈlimbless adjective

limb / lɪm/ noun

1. the edge of the apparent disc of the sun, a moon, or a planet
2. a graduated arc attached to instruments, such as the sextant, used for measuring angles
3. the expanded upper part of a bell-shaped corolla
4. the expanded part of a leaf, petal, or sepal
5. either of the two halves of a bow
6. Also called: fold limb either of the sides of a geological fold

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin limbus edge