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
Synonyms
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
Police say Carmona-Garcia died from blood loss after his leg was completely severed in the crash.
—
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
The pot shattered, severing tissue and nerves in Treinen’s thumb.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Now, the 2-year-old black retriever/lab mix — whose spinal cord was severed when a marble table fell on him as a puppy — is ready more than ever to get adopted from the Scoot for the Stars rescue.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
Garen Austin, president of the Arizona schools, said they were made aware of the allegations and immediately severed employment.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sever 
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Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
The pot shattered, severing tissue and nerves in Treinen’s thumb.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Now, the 2-year-old black retriever/lab mix — whose spinal cord was severed when a marble table fell on him as a puppy — is ready more than ever to get adopted from the Scoot for the Stars rescue.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024
Garen Austin, president of the Arizona schools, said they were made aware of the allegations and immediately severed employment.
—Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sever
Dictionary Entries Near sever
Cite this Entry
“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sever. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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