# limb

/ˈɫɪm/ (US) · /lˈɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/limb
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. arm or leg

noun · CEFR B2

an arm or a leg of a person, or a similar part of an animal like a wing.

For teachers: a major functional appendage of a human or animal body used for movement or manipulation.

- The athlete stretched every limb before starting the long race.
- The surgeon worked meticulously to restore blood flow to the injured limb, hoping to avoid permanent nerve damage.

### 2. tree branch

noun · CEFR B2

a large, main branch of a tree.

For teachers: a primary structural branch of a tree, extending from the main trunk.

- The heavy snow caused a large limb of the oak tree to snap.
- Arborists recommend removing dead limbs during the winter to prevent them from falling and causing property damage during spring storms.

### 3. edge of a planet or star

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the outer edge of the disk of a planet, moon, or star as seen from a distance.

For teachers: the apparent visual edge of the disk of a celestial body.

- The telescope captured a beautiful glow around the western limb of the moon.
- Solar flares are often most visible when they occur near the sun's limb, appearing as bright loops against the darkness of space.

### 4. part of a flower petal

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the flat, spreading part of a flower petal or leaf.

For teachers: the border or upper spreading part of a petal, sepal, or monopetalous corolla.

- The flower has a narrow base that opens into a wide, colourful limb.
- The botanical illustration clearly distinguished between the narrow claw and the broad, serrated limb of the individual petals.

### 5. to remove branches

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cut the branches off a tree that has been fallen.

For teachers: to remove the limbs or branches from a tree or animal carcass.

- The workers had to limb the fallen pine before they could move the trunk.
- After the storm, the cleanup crew spent hours limbing the downed timber to clear the primary access roads for emergency vehicles.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The cat stretched its long limbs after waking up.
- The heavy snow caused a large limb of the oak tree to snap and fall onto the driveway.
- The surgeon worked carefully to restore blood flow to the injured limb, hoping to preserve full motor function for the patient.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.