secede

verb

se·​cede si-ˈsēd 

seceded; seceding

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from an organization (such as a religious communion or political party or federation)

seceder noun

Examples of secede in a Sentence

South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Carter spoke about Sudan — its possibilities and dangers, and the fact that in coming months the country’s south, with its vast oil reserves, would hold an independence referendum on whether to secede from the north. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

The movement isn't to secede from the state, but to split the state by separating all counties from Cook County and Chicago. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

Seven Southern states seceded before his inauguration. —Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024

The war divided Tennesseans — many of whom in East Tennessee remained loyal to the Union — and prompted the state legislature to close the doors to the House proceedings for the first time in state history on April 18, 1861, where lawmakers voted to begin the process of seceding from the Union. —Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin secedere, from sed-, se- apart (from sed, se without) + cedere to go — more at suicide

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

secede

verb

se·​cede si-ˈsēd 

seceded; seceding

: to withdraw from an organization (as a nation, church, or political party)