1
b
: the amount of space or surface that something occupies or the distance over which it extends : magnitude
the extent of the forest
c
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
using talents to the greatest extent
2
a
: seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain
also
: the condition of being so seized
b
: a writ giving to a creditor temporary possession of his debtor's property
3
archaic
: valuation (as of land) in Great Britain especially for taxation
Examples of extent in a Sentence
She tried to determine the extent of the damage.
the full extent of human knowledge
He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.
Recent Examples on the Web
There, McVeigh was booked and saw on TV the extent of the devastation.
—
Erin Jensen, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The protests signal the extent of public alarm over some of Trump's executive actions and cuts to federal government.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Whether that’s primarily on the players for not handling that like professionals, or on Briere for not recognizing the impact that losing Laughton (and, to a lesser extent, Erik Johnson) would have on the group, is up for debate.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
This rising tide has been spurred in large part by billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and, to a lesser extent, Richard Branson.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extent
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Erin Jensen, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The protests signal the extent of public alarm over some of Trump's executive actions and cuts to federal government.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Whether that’s primarily on the players for not handling that like professionals, or on Briere for not recognizing the impact that losing Laughton (and, to a lesser extent, Erik Johnson) would have on the group, is up for debate.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
This rising tide has been spurred in large part by billionaires, particularly Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and, to a lesser extent, Richard Branson.
—ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extent
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extent
noun
ex·tent
ik-ˈstent 
1
: the range, distance, or space over or through which something extends
the extent of the Roman empire
2
: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends
the extent of her knowledge
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