severance

[sev-er-uhns, sev-ruhns]

noun

1. the act of severing or the state of being severed.

2. a breaking off, as of a friendship.

3. Law.,  a division into parts, as of liabilities or provisions; removal of a part from the whole.

4. severance pay.

severance

/ ˈsɛvərəns /

noun

1. the act of severing or state of being severed

2. a separation

3. law the division into separate parts of a joint estate, contract, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonseverance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of severance¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English severaunce, from Anglo-French; equivalent to sever + -ance

Example Sentences

The suit, filed last year, is one of several legal challenges over unpaid severance for workers who were laid off after Musk took over.

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These include memos aimed at expanding employee rights of college athletes and sharply narrowing the legality of noncompete and nondisparagement clauses in employee contracts and severance agreements.

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Scandalously, some of the American workers were required as conditions of their severance to train the newcomers to do their jobs.

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The severance of the 51-year-old's links with the team he made one of the most successful in the sport was confirmed on Monday.

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Christian Horner has formally left Red Bull after agreeing a severance deal following his sacking as team principal in July.

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