severity

noun

se·​ver·​i·​ty sə-ˈver-ə-tē How to pronounce severity (audio)
: the quality or state of being severe : the condition of being very bad, serious, unpleasant, or harsh
the severity of the climate
the severity of the punishment
Medication can help shorten the illness and lessen its severity.
To make all coastal residents more aware of the severity of the cyclone hazard, and to increase faith and trust in evacuation orders, the emergency personnel must educate them about the benefits of taking refuge in public shelters prior to an approaching cyclone.Bimal Kanti Paul
A dog, like a human, is prone to two broadly defined types of bone fracture—open and closed. Within each category, breaks of varying severity may occur.Tom Ewing

Examples of severity in a Sentence

even though no one expected the film to be a hit with the critics, the director was taken aback by the severity of the criticism
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, your primary care doctor can refer you to a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon for a closer look. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 An official cause for the emergency has yet to be disclosed, though Foxx has alluded to the severity of his condition in the months since. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 According to Chicago Cornea, recovery time for an orbital fracture could range anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the fracture. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 The severity of symptoms depends on a person’s health status; pneumonia is much tougher to manage and presents with more severe symptoms in those who are immunocompromised or have underlying lung conditions. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for severity 

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of severity was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near severity

Cite this Entry

“Severity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severity. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

severity

noun
se·​ver·​i·​ty
sə-ˈver-ət-ē
plural severities
: the quality or state of being severe

More from Merriam-Webster on severity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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