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

That totals over $600 million, not including any cash severance, a tax benefit or other perquisites. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Top college football coaches command NFL-caliber salaries; fired head coaches alone have collected over $1 billion in severance since 2015. — Chris Park, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

The board spent $379,000 investigating Hill, and the former superintendent is also slated to receive $340,700 in severance, the Observer reported previously. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

The package from Meta was enticing enough for Desai to give up his pay package and severance at MongoDB. — Samantha Subin,chris Eudaily, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

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