sever

UK: /ˈsɛvə^r/ US: /ˈsɛvɚ/ ,(sev′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sev•er /ˈsɛvɚ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to separate (a part) from the whole, as by cutting:
   His leg had been severed in an accident.
2. to break off or dissolve (relations, etc.):
   The government has severed all diplomatic relations.

See -pare¹-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sev•er  (sev′ər), v.t. 

1. to separate (a part) from the whole, as by cutting or the like.
2. to divide into parts, esp. forcibly;
   cleave.
3. to break off or dissolve (ties, relations, etc.).
4. Law to divide into parts;
   disunite (an estate, titles of a statute, etc.).
5. to distinguish;
   discriminate between.

v.i. 

6. to become separated from each other;
   become divided into parts.

• Middle French sev(e)rer to separate
• Middle English severen 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sever / ˈsɛvə/ verb

1. to put or be put apart; separate
2. to divide or be divided into parts
3. (transitive) to break off or dissolve (a tie, relationship, etc)

Etymology: 14th Century severen, from Old French severer, from Latin sēparāre to separate