secede

verb se·cede \ si-ˈsēd \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of secede

seceded; seceding

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from an organization (such as a religious communion or political party or federation)

—

seceder

noun

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Examples of secede in a Sentence

South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860.

Recent Examples of secede from the Web

Moreover, state law, as seen in the Tennessee case, can be crucial in the relative ease with which districts can secede.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "Back to the future: A new school district secession movement is gaining steam," 2 May 2018
Pro-independence parties used their slim majority to approve the motion Wednesday and continue their defiance of the Spanish government, which says the wealthy northeastern region cannot secede.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Ex-Catalan minister turns herself in in Scotland," 28 Mar. 2018
The issue of Griffith, whose GOP leaders are leading a revolt to secede from Calumet Township, continues.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Calumet trustee faces primary challenge from Gary councilwoman," 24 Apr. 2018
Mississippi seceded from the Union on January 9, 1861.

— jane coaston, Vox, "Confederate Memorial Day: when multiple states celebrate treason in defense of slavery," 23 Apr. 2018
Flying the confederate flag bothers me more—as the South attempted to secede from the same Union that the flag represents.

— peter king, SI.com, "2018 NFL Draft: What Bill Belichick and the Patriots Will Do ... (We Think)," 11 Apr. 2018
Three, that California was trying to secede from the nation.

— george skelton, latimes.com, "Sessions did the California Democratic Party a big favor with his visit to the state," 8 Mar. 2018
Earlier this year, Assange was a fierce supporter of separatist leaders in Spain’s Catalonia region who wanted to secede.

— Washington Post, "Ecuadoran Embassy in London cuts off Julian Assange's Internet," 28 Mar. 2018
Under the agreement Ireland gave up its claim on the north and Britain agreed to a mechanism by which Northern Ireland could secede via a future referendum.

— The Economist, "Twenty years after a peace deal the mood is sour in Northern Ireland," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'secede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of secede

Latin secedere, from sed-, se- apart (from sed, se without) + cedere to go — more at suicide

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First Known Use: 1749

in the meaning defined above

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

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secede

verb

Definition of secede for English Language Learners

: to separate from a nation or state and become independent

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secede

verb se·cede \ si-ˈsēd \

Definition of secede for Students

seceded; seceding

: to end an association with an organization (as a country)

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Spanish Central: Translation of secede Nglish: Translation of secede for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of secede for Arabic speakers

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secede

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seceder

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secede

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seceder

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