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

The federal government has shed some 97,000 jobs since the beginning of the year, and government payrolls are expected to shrink further in the coming months when severance payments to employees who took buyouts end. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

CEOs don’t even have to be good at their job to enjoy several millions in severance or stock payouts. —Ian Chaffee, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

The severance opt-in window for New York and Los Angeles employees will be this month, ahead of a major round of layoffs planned for November. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025

Downs’ lawsuit claimed he was owed $488,000 from the county, including unpaid severance for 18 months of his salary and a quarterly bonus. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 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