severance

noun

sev·​er·​ance ˈsev-rən(t)s How to pronounce severance (audio)
ˈse-və-
: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Employers can no longer limit workers’ ability to speak about their company in exchange for settlement or severance payments, according to a recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board. Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023 Provide severance, healthcare packages and job search support. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 The book store, which ousted Demos Parneros in July, initially declined to say why he’d been terminated without severance. BostonGlobe.com, 8 Mar. 2023 Severance agreements exist largely because most employers aren’t required to offer severance payments. Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2023 Hundreds of former Twitter employees are now taking legal action against the company, alleging broken severance promises and, in some cases, discrimination, including against disabled employees. Clare Duffy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2023 That lawsuit also challenges the merger and claims that Joseph Ianniello, the former acting CEO of CBS, was given a $125 million severance to buy his support for the merger. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Mar. 2023 The team has given themselves until the end of March to pull the vision together, a tight deadline based on severance payouts and how Kirk and his teammates plan to divide their time and money between the company and home lives. WIRED, 22 Feb. 2023 Walmart is closing three U.S. tech hubs in Austin, Carlsbad, Calif., and Portland, Ore., and is asking hundreds of workers to move to Bentonville, Ark. where Walmart is headquartered or accept severance. Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of severance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near severance

Cite this Entry

“Severance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severance. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

severance

noun
sev·​er·​ance ˈsev-(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce severance (audio)
: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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