severed
Americanadjective
-
separated from the whole or divided into parts, as by cutting or the like.
The severed cables belonged to two internet companies.
-
(of ties or a relationship) broken off or dissolved.
One of the greatest tragedies we see in our work is the severed relationships between those in need and their family and friends.
-
Law. (of an estate, titles of a statute, etc.) divided into parts.
A practice known as severed property, or split estates, allows developers to keep or obtain mineral rights underneath privately owned land.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of severed
Explanation
Something severed is cut off from its whole. A severed rope turns into two detached and individual pieces. In a severed relationship, people lose communication with one another. To be severed is to be separated completely. Think of a tree branch being cut away from its trunk, or a connection being broken between two friends. The word comes from the Latin separare, meaning "to separate or pull apart." The adjective can refer to physical objects, like ropes or limbs, or to relationships and ties, such as friendships or contracts.
Vocabulary lists containing severed
Phineas Gage
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Compound Fracture
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The Black Girl Survives in This One
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One example is a DNA double-strand break, which occurs when both strands of the DNA molecule are severed.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026
The supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum continued her pose as the queen of Halloween by transforming into a giant, bloodied and severed hand for her annual costume party on 31 October.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
Chinese brands Dongpeng and Mengniu Dairy quickly severed ties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
The Hall of Famer’s ties with Chicago were once again severed, this time with his firing in 1993 following a 5-11 season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
Lyra remembered that severed meant “cut” And then something else hit her heart: where was Roger?
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
