secession

noun

se·​ces·​sion si-ˈse-shən How to pronounce secession (audio)
1
: withdrawal into privacy or solitude : retirement
2
: formal withdrawal from an organization

Examples of secession in a Sentence

the secession of the Southern states
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
His gamble paid off, but only after opponents from New England flirted with the idea of secession to negotiate their own end to conflict. — G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025 An American secession from the ISS union might give rise to a spectrum of intriguing potential outcomes. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 This article has been updated to remove reference to Yes California, which no longer backs secession. — Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 On a sunny afternoon last month, Burum waxed philosophical about secession at the headquarters of his affordable housing company in a Rancho Cucamonga office park. — Calmatters, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for secession

Word History

Etymology

Latin secession-, secessio, from secedere

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of secession was in 1604

Rhymes for secession

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Browse Nearby Words

secession
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Cite this Entry

“Secession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secession. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

secession

noun
se·​ces·​sion si-ˈsesh-ən How to pronounce secession (audio)
: the act of seceding

More from Merriam-Webster on secession

Nglish: Translation of secession for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about secession

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