severed

American

[sev-erd] / ˈsɛv ərd /

adjective

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

the simple past tense and past participle of sever.

Other Word Forms

half-severed adjective
unsevered adjective

Etymology

Origin of severed

sever ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

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.

Not only did it damage the family brand in his view, it severed a bond of trust between the brothers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 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

Using a laser to precisely cut the actin band, Alison found that the band continued to move inward even after being severed.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 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

Father Jose Dulce Maria waited for the boy’s strong constitution to heal his severed fingers.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023