sever

[ sev-er ]

/ ˈsɛv ər /

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See synonyms for: sever / severed / severing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to separate (a part) from the whole, as by cutting or the like.

to divide into parts, especially forcibly; cleave.

to break off or dissolve (ties, relations, etc.).

Law. to divide into parts; disunite (an estate, titles of a statute, etc.).

to distinguish; discriminate between.

verb (used without object)

to become separated from each other; become divided into parts.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of sever

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English severen, from Middle French sev(e)rer; see separate

Words nearby sever

seven-up, Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Seven Wonders of the World, seven-year itch, Seven Years' War, sever, severable, several, severalfold, severally, severalty

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sever in a sentence

They also need to consider severing the bond between audience data and owned inventory.
Splitting the atom: Decoupling audience from inventory unleashes power of pubs|Trevor Grigoruk|February 9, 2021|Digiday
The National Zoo said Thursday that after 63 years it is severing its relationship with its longtime nonprofit partner, Friends of the National Zoo.
National Zoo to split with longtime partner FONZ|Michael Ruane|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
If Google withdraws search, it may, at least initially, sever ties between many businesses and their audiences.
Australia’s showdown with Google has profound implications for domestic businesses and other digital platforms|George Nguyen|February 2, 2021|Search Engine Land
The decision to sever ties was made after health officials became aware that the group had switched to for-profit status, Farley said Tuesday.
Philadelphia let ‘college kids’ distribute vaccines. The result was a ‘disaster,’ volunteers say.|Antonia Noori Farzan|January 27, 2021|Washington Post

The device, made with a severed piece of a Venus flytrap, can grasp tiny, delicate objects, researchers report January 25 in Nature Electronics.
A robot arm toting a Venus flytrap can grab delicate objects|Emily Conover|January 25, 2021|Science News
But the decision now to sever economic ties with the eastern regions was a surprise—and a gamble.
Eastern Ukraine Braces for ‘Full-Scale War’|Jamie Dettmer|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They [the regime] try to sever connections between those living outside and those based inside Iran.
Iran Says Take Off the Veil—and Be Raped|IranWire|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is unlikely that this ‘revolution’ in Kiev will sever a centuries-old bond.
Is Kharkiv Ukraine’s Next Tipping Point?|Vijai Maheshwari|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A large coalition of Palestinian civil society groups is now calling on Oxfam to sever ties with her “immediately.”
Why Oxfam Should Drop Scarlett Johansson For Her Pro-SodaStream Stance|Ali Abunimah|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She must immediately sever any relationship with the Scouts, the letter said.
Boy Scouts Vote on Whether to Reverse Ban on Openly Gay Boys|Winston Ross|May 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The ax was to sever the head from the lifeless body, and all the headless trunks were to be interred together.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
There was no mystery about the tragic occurrence except that it seemed to sever an old friendship that once was firm as a rock.
The Circular Study|Anna Katharine Green
Take the scalpel and sever the spinal column without cutting the larynx.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
His conduct entangled the skeins of Spanish intrigue into a knot which only war could sever.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
On the morning of the twentieth the Emperor himself, with Lannes and Wrede, set out to sever the enemy's line.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane

British Dictionary definitions for sever

sever

/ (ˈsɛvə) /

verb

to put or be put apart; separate

to divide or be divided into parts

(tr) to break off or dissolve (a tie, relationship, etc)

Word Origin for sever

C14 severen, from Old French severer, from Latin sēparāre to separate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sever

Origin of sever

Words nearby sever

Words related to sever

How to use sever in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sever

Word Origin for sever