severance

American  

[sev-er-uhns, sev-ruhns] / ˈsɛv ər əns, ˈsɛv rəns /

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.

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severance British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonseverance noun

Etymology

Origin of severance

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

Example Sentences

She received six months’ salary as severance, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

She might have jumped with another offer in hand but, without one, she waited for the ax to fall and got three months’ severance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many did not see the severance of this partnership coming - and certainly not the timing.

From BBC

And private-sector workers who were laid off in the spring or summer are running through their own severance packages.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company expects to record pre-tax restructuring and charges of up to $90 million tied to the cuts, primarily in severance and related costs.

From The Wall Street Journal