secession

noun

se·​ces·​sion si-ˈse-shən 

1

: withdrawal into privacy or solitude : retirement

2

: formal withdrawal from an organization

Examples of secession in a Sentence

the secession of the Southern states

Recent Examples on the Web

Right Now In the aftermath of the federal election, conversations from the airwaves to the dinner tables have been dominated by talk of secession. —Amber Bracken, New York Times, 22 May 2025

For independence movements, the new rules of secession mean a more volatile and uncertain future. —Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025

Turkey has supported Azerbaijan in gradually projecting influence over their Azeri cousins in the Azeri province of northern Iran, ultimately with a view to inciting secession. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Known as an intellectual society, the freethinkers advocated for equal rights, the abolition of slavery, and rejected secession. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin secession-, secessio, from secedere

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for secession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

secession

noun

se·​ces·​sion si-ˈsesh-ən 

: the act of seceding