severance

UK: /ˈsɛvərəns/

US: /ˈsɛvərəns, ˈsɛvrəns/

US: (sev′ər əns, sev′rəns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sev•er•ance /ˈsɛvərəns, ˈsɛvrəns/   n. 

1. the act of severing, or the state of being severed:
   [uncountable] severance from his family.
   [countable] a severance of relations.
2. Also, ˈsev•er•ance ˌpay. [uncountable] money paid to a worker being dismissed for reasons beyond the worker's control.
See -pare¹-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sev•er•ance  (sev′ər əns, sev′rəns), n. 

1. the act of severing or the state of being severed.
2. a breaking off, as of a friendship.
3. Law a division into parts, as of liabilities or provisions;
   removal of a part from the whole.
4. Business See severance pay. 

• Anglo-French; see sever, -ance
• late Middle English severaunce 1375–1425

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

severance / ˈsɛvərəns/ noun

1. the act of severing or state of being severed
2. a separation
3. the division into separate parts of a joint estate, contract, etc