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

The oil-rich province of Alberta has rejected the pathway to secession and will remain part of Canada, landing a definitive blow to a fringe but loud campaign which sought support from the US. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

The act states that secession negotiations can begin only after a referendum question and its result meet standards of clarity. — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

And since their secession was impossible, even that sixth never technically tore away in the first place. — Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026

The statewide office is first in the secession of power after the governor, and the person who holds it can play a large role in shaping state policy as the president of the Texas Senate. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026

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