sequester

1 of 2

verb

se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwe-stər 

sequestered; sequestering si-ˈkwe-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to set apart : segregate

sequester a jury

b

: seclude, withdraw

widely spaced homes are forbiddingly grand and sequestered

—Don Asher

2

a

: to seize especially by a writ of sequestration

b

: to place (property) in custody especially in sequestration

3

: to bind (a metal or metal ion) in the form of a soluble complex or chelate by adding a suitable reagent for the purpose of preventing precipitation in water solution by chemical agents that would normally bring it about, of solubilizing precipitates already formed, or of otherwise suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity

sequester calcium and magnesium ions in the softening of hard water

also : to bind or absorb (carbon dioxide) as part of a larger chemical process or compound

… half of the starting material will be used up and half will be char. That can then be put back on the fields, where it will sequester carbon and help grow the next crop.

—Emma Marris

sequester

2 of 2

noun

1

: the imposition of automatic government spending reductions in accordance with sequestration

2

obsolete : separation, isolation

Did you know?

Sequester is a word that has important legal and scientific uses, and a long history besides. In fact, it can be traced back to the Latin preposition secus, meaning, well, “beside” or “alongside.” Setting someone or something apart (figuratively “to the side”) from the rest is sequester’s raison d’être. We frequently hear it in the context of the courtroom, as juries are sometimes sequestered for the safety of their members or to prevent the influence of outside sources on a verdict. It is also possible, legally speaking, to sequester property—sequester can mean both “to seize” and “to deposit” property by a writ of sequestration. The scientific sense of sequester most often encountered these days has to do with the binding or absorption of carbon. Kelp forests, for example, sequester massive amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, keeping it “apart” from the atmosphere—by some estimates doing so twenty times as much as terrestrial forests. You might even say kelp’s got this sequestering thing locked up.

Synonyms

Verb

• cut off
• insulate
• isolate
• seclude
• segregate
• separate

Examples of sequester in a Sentence

Verb

The jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached.

He was sequestered in his room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While TikTok did make sweeping promises that Project Texas would sequester Americans' data from the company's Chinese headquarters, reports have indicated that data still flows between TikTok's U.S. personnel and those in China. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 14 May 2024

The cells construct special compartments within themselves to temporarily sequester the proteins. —Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2024

The jury has been instructed to bring an overnight bag in case deliberations on sentencing run into Friday, in which case they could be sequestered overnight. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2024

For much of the three-hour show, the band members are sequestered with their instruments in the soundproof, fishbowl-like live room upstage. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

Protecting the rain forest is one of the best ways that humans can avert a climate catastrophe: its slow-growth trees can either sequester huge amounts of carbon dioxide or, if logged, spew the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. —Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024

When urchins are kept in check, kelp forests flourish — sequestering carbon and providing food and shelter for fish, shellfish and other life. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Her pieces reflected recent trials — being sequestered with her mother, her parents’ split, a close friend’s cancer diagnosis. —Grayson Haver Currin, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024

That’s why trees are a great solution for sequestering carbon. —Yishan Wong, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sequestren, from Anglo-French sequestrer, from Latin sequestrare to hand over to a trustee, from sequester third party to whom disputed property is entrusted, agent, from secus beside, otherwise; akin to Latin sequi to follow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

sequester

verb

se·​ques·​ter

si-ˈkwes-tər

sequestered; sequestering

-t(ə-)riŋ

1

: to set apart : segregate

the jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached

2

: to take custody of (as personal property) until a demand is satisfied

Medical Definition

sequester

1 of 2 transitive verb

se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwes-tər 

: to hold (as a metallic ion) in solution especially for the purpose of suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity

sequester

2 of 2 noun

: sequestrum

Legal Definition

sequester

1 of 2 transitive verb

se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwes-tər 

sequestered; sequestering

1

: to place (as a jury or witness) in seclusion or isolation

Note: Juries are sequestered in order to preserve their impartiality. Witnesses are sequestered so that their testimony is not influenced by the testimony of prior witnesses.

2

a

: to seize especially by a writ of sequestration

b

: to deposit (property) in sequestration

sequester

2 of 2 noun

: sequestration sense 3

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French sequestrer, from Middle French, from Latin sequestrare to hand over to a trustee, from sequester third party to whom disputed property is entrusted, agent, from secus beside, otherwise