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
Synonyms
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
Many businesses are unaware of the extent to which artificially inflated OTP traffic undermines their operations due to the sheer complexities and inherent risks of telecommunication.
—
Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
This year will be a big one for the Blue Jays as the saga of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract hangs over them to a bigger extent than the saga of Soto’s next deal hung over the Yankees in 2024.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Advertisement But the facts are the facts — the Palisades, and to a lesser extent Altadena and the other areas experiencing fire, are all in high-risk fire zones.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
And of course, the extent to which various aspects of the Christian nationalist agenda align with Trump’s own priorities and with those of members of his inner circle, like Elon Musk.
—John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extent 
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Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
This year will be a big one for the Blue Jays as the saga of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract hangs over them to a bigger extent than the saga of Soto’s next deal hung over the Yankees in 2024.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Advertisement But the facts are the facts — the Palisades, and to a lesser extent Altadena and the other areas experiencing fire, are all in high-risk fire zones.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
And of course, the extent to which various aspects of the Christian nationalist agenda align with Trump’s own priorities and with those of members of his inner circle, like Elon Musk.
—John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for extent
Dictionary Entries Near extent
Cite this Entry
“Extent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extent. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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