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
New York, Illinois, and California each enacted one or some of these measures last year; there’s been movement in a similar direction, albeit to differing extents, in Connecticut, Maryland, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington State, and Oregon.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
That would be an 18% decline from the same period last year, equating to by far the weakest quarterly deliveries growth since at least 2015, the extent of quarterly delivery data available on Tesla’s investor relations website.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The specific extent and locations depend on unpredictable currents and wind patterns, with annual peaks historically occurring in midsummer.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The two disagreed about business matters, including the extent to which, and under which circumstances, Nicklaus could license his IP to golf tournaments and other projects.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for extent
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Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
That would be an 18% decline from the same period last year, equating to by far the weakest quarterly deliveries growth since at least 2015, the extent of quarterly delivery data available on Tesla’s investor relations website.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
The specific extent and locations depend on unpredictable currents and wind patterns, with annual peaks historically occurring in midsummer.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The two disagreed about business matters, including the extent to which, and under which circumstances, Nicklaus could license his IP to golf tournaments and other projects.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 June 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 10 Jun. 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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