severed; severing
ˈse-və-riŋ 
ˈsev-riŋ
: to put or keep apart : divide
especially
: to remove (something, such as a part) by or as if by cutting
: to become separated
Examples of sever in a Sentence
He severed the lowest tree limbs.
His finger was severed in the accident.
Activists are asking the government to sever all diplomatic relations with the country.
Recent Examples on the Web
But now, Trump’s shutdown of foreign assistance severed 60% of Hias’ funding overnight.
—
Ellen Knickmeyer and Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The House Education Committee on Friday advanced a bill that would sever Idaho’s ties with the University of Washington’s medical school — after half the committee voted to delay a vote until next week.
—Ryan Suppe, Idaho Statesman, 15 Feb. 2025
Volcanic and geologic evidence in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa indicates the existing oceans may one day spill into the growing rift, severing a small portion of the continent from the greater bulk of Africa, according to experts.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
The rope that the fishermen severed was free-floating — as is common with creel gear.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sever
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sever. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
Legal Definition
sever
transitive verb
sev·er
ˈse-vər
severed; severing
1
: to end (a joint tenancy) by ending one or all of the unities of time, title, possession, or interest (as by conveying one tenant's interest to another party)
2
: to separate (as a contract) into different parts (as independent obligations) in order to treat each separately
3
a
: to try (criminal offenses or defendants) separately in order to avoid prejudice
b
: to split (a criminal trial) into multiple trials in order to avoid prejudice
c
: to try (civil claims or issues pleaded in the same case) separately
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share