severance

noun

sev·​er·​ance ˈse-və-rən(t)s 

ˈsev-rən(t)s

: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed

Examples of severance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After the factory closed, Cano joined litigation involving Sae-A Trading, another Korean company which used to purchase KOA Modas’s apparel on Target’s behalf and, after a lengthy legal battle, pledged to fulfill the vast majority of severance payments. —Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025

After the sale fell through, Baker & Taylor began to lay off 520 people without severance plans, according to Publishers Weekly. —Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025

Those who can’t be placed elsewhere and who remain through the closure date will be entitled to severance benefits. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Penn State's James Franklin’s recent losses to UCLA and Northwestern earned him a trip to buyout beach — Penn State owes Franklin a buyout topping $49 million, according to his term sheet, the second-largest severance payday in college football history. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing severance

• severance package
• severance pay
• severance tax

Rhymes for severance

• reverence
• irreverence

Kids Definition

severance

noun

sev·​er·​ance ˈsev-(ə-)rən(t)s 

: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed