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
- half-severed adjective
- unsevered adjective
Etymology
Origin of severed
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.
Across the region, thousands of flights have been grounded in some of the world’s busiest airports, shipping disruptions have severed key trade and energy lifelines, and stock markets have plunged.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
The company has since said that it has severed ties with both agencies, and responded to other concerns by giving communities more power to decide whom to grant access to state or nationwide lookup networks.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026
Neurites include axons, which are often severed in spinal cord injuries.
From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026
Disney said the severed body was actually that of a robot, and the fact it had been cut in two "further emphasised its non-human nature".
From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026
The bar connecting the desk and the seat had been partially severed at one end, so my weight broke it the rest of the way.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
![]()
Definitions 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.