severance

noun
sev·​er·​ance | \ ˈsev-rən(t)s How to pronounce severance (audio) , ˈse-və-\

Definition of severance

: the act or process of severing : the state of being severed

Examples of severance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Disney had no comment on the latest severance slips, though it's understood that jobs have been lost at both the Disney and Fox studios. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, "New Disney-Fox Layoffs Hit Media Distribution at Combined Film Studios," 29 Aug. 2019 Half the severance money collected each year stays with the state, while half of it goes to local governments. Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Colorado severance tax collections expected to drop sharply, even though a bust is nowhere in sight," 18 Aug. 2019 What about the commitment to keep athletes like Biles safe from child predators - as opposed to enabling pedophiles, giving bloated severance payouts to men who obstruct investigations, removing documents and allegedly lying to Congress? Sally Jenkins, courant.com, "When athletes kneel, the rotten U.S. Olympic regime has no moral standing to object," 13 Aug. 2019 What about the commitment to keep athletes like Biles safe from child predators — as opposed to enabling pedophiles, giving bloated severance payouts to men who obstruct investigations, removing documents and allegedly lying to Congress? Sally Jenkins, chicagotribune.com, "Commentary: When athletes kneel, the rotten U.S. Olympic regime has no moral standing to object," 13 Aug. 2019 The rise of online shopping, changing consumer tastes, massive debt burdens weighing on retailers’ balance sheets, and increasing automation have resulted in bankruptcies, layoffs, reduced pay, and lost severance. Hilary George-parkin, Vox, "The workers bearing the brunt of retail’s struggles? Primarily women and people of color.," 26 July 2019 The move triggered an $8.5 million severance payout, as well as the vesting of stock valued at $25 million. San Diego Union-Tribune, "How the 16 highest-paid CEOs of San Diego public companies made their money," 14 July 2019 At the same time, places like severance lie in ruin. Ann Norman, cleveland.com, "What’s your take on the mixed-use development trend?," 12 July 2019 But that victory added up to more than a generous new salary increases and severance provisions. Clio Chang, The New Republic, "How to Save Journalism," 11 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of severance

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for severance

severance

noun

English Language Learners Definition of severance

formal
: the act of ending someone's employment
: the act of ending a relationship, connection, etc.

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