severs; severed; severing
1
: to cut off (something) : to remove or separate (something) by cutting
He severed the lowest tree limbs.
His finger was severed in the accident.
a severed head/hand
2
: to end (a relationship, connection, etc.) completely
When she went off to college, she severed [=cut off] (all) ties with her high school friends.
Activists are asking the government to sever all diplomatic relations with the country.
Cite this Entry
“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sever. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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