severance

noun

sev·​er·​ance ˈsev-rən(t)s How to pronounce severance (audio)
ˈse-və-
: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed

Examples of severance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One lawsuit brought by a former Twitter human resources leader in July, seeking class action status, seeks an order for Musk and the company to pay additional severance benefits allegedly owed to former employees in an amount no less than $500 million. Brian Fung, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 The union’s bargaining team countered management’s proposal, offering a slimmer number of layoffs, more severance and a moratorium on cuts. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 Per the terms of his severance agreement, former IU football coach Tom Allen should by now have received the balance of his $15.5 million buyout package, effectively concluding his relationship with the university. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2024 The savings are significant, adding up on severance, recruiting and onboarding. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 In one year alone, from 2021 to 2022, statewide collection of oil and gas severance taxes more than doubled to $10.85 billion. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 But Israel's near-complete severance of economic ties with the West Bank also has had serious repercussions for Palestinians there. Julia Frankel, Quartz, 11 Feb. 2024 And the layoff charges keep coming: in just the one month of 2024 so far, the company has already spent $700 million on employee severance charges as part of layoffs targeting another 1,000-plus roles. Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 30 Jan. 2024 Brinkerhoff said employees will receive severance for the month of February. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'severance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of severance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near severance

Cite this Entry

“Severance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

severance

noun
sev·​er·​ance ˈsev-(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce severance (audio)
: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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