Definition of sequester
sequestered
;sequestering
play \-t(ə-)riŋ\transitive verb
1a : to set apart : segregate sequester a juryb : seclude, withdraw widely spaced homes are forbiddingly grand and sequestered — Don Asher
2a : to seize especially by a writ of sequestrationb : 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
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Examples of sequester in a Sentence
The jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached.
He was sequestered in his room.
Recent Examples of sequester from the Web
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But after rising up again and again, the people of Tenochtitlan ultimately fell, weakened by the superior weapons of the Spanish and a smallpox epidemic, until eventually they were sequestered by Spanish forces and their allies.
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The last time transportation negotiations took place, in 2015, a group of eight lawmakers sequestered themselves behind closed doors to hammer out a deal that ultimately failed without a vote.
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The public and media were allowed to be present late afternoon Tuesday, when Ghiz sent jurors to the hotel where they are being sequestered.
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Conen has imposed strict rules for the trial and ordered the jury sequestered, a rare precaution in Milwaukee County.
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The vaccine causes antibodies to quickly mobilize and sequester heroin and its psychoactive products in rhesus monkeys.
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The jury, who will be imported from an outside Philadelphia county and sequestered for the duration of the trial, will hear testimony from both women as well as Cosby, who will be accompanied by a support section in the stands.
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Macey, meanwhile, is sequestered away at a small white table in a corner, facing a bookshelf.
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Julian Assange, sequestered away in the London's Ecuadorian embassy since 2012, is near impossible to arrest.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sequester.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sequester
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
Other Legal Terms
sequester
Definition of sequester
1 obsolete : separation, isolation
2 : the imposition of automatic government spending reductions in accordance with sequestration
Recent Examples of sequester from the Web
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And the extent to which the earth can provide habitats for plants and animals, sequester atmospheric carbon and regulate the flow of freshwater depends on the vastness of the least affected regions.
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Defense hawks in the House have already launched an effort to persuade GOP leaders to attempt to repeal the defense spending caps that were set in the 2011 Budget Control Act, also known as the sequester.
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Trump is reportedly seeking $54 billion over the sequester caps imposed by the 2011 Budget Control Act, which would bring 2018 defense spending to $603 billion.
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Mr. Trump’s call for ending the sequester on military spending is unlikely to gain traction in Washington.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sequester.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of sequester
1604
SEQUESTER Defined for English Language Learners
sequester
playDefinition of sequester for English Language Learners
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: to keep (a person or group) apart from other people
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law : to take (property) until a debt has been paid
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of sequester
: to hold (as a metallic ion) in solution especially for the purpose of suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of sequester
sequestered
sequestering
1 : to place (as a jury or witness) in seclusion or isolation Editor's 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.
2a : to seize especially by a writ of sequestration b : to deposit (property) in sequestration
Origin and Etymology of sequester
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
Learn More about sequester
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See words that rhyme with sequester Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sequester Spanish Central: Translation of sequester Nglish: Translation of sequester for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sequester for Arabic speakers
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