What does secede mean?
Secede is a formal verb meaning to withdraw from a larger political union, federation, alliance, or organization. Its use often suggests a consequential and collective act rather than an ordinary departure. In American history, “to secede from the Union” refers to the withdrawal of Southern states from the United States, especially during the period leading to the American Civil War. The word is also used more broadly when a group breaks away from an institutional or political arrangement. Unlike the neutral verb leave, secede carries implications of formal separation and possible conflict. It is typically intransitive and is commonly followed by “from,” as in “to secede from the organization.” The related noun secession denotes the act or process of withdrawing. Because the term has strong historical and political associations, it is usually more appropriate in serious discussion than in casual speech.
verbTo formally withdraw from an organization, alliance, federation, or political union. The word is chiefly used in legal, political, and historical contexts.
- To withdraw formally from an organization, alliance, federation, or political union.
"Several states sought to secede from the Union during the American Civil War."
"The republic voted to secede from the larger federation."
"Historians continue to debate why the southern states chose to secede from the United States."
The word secede captures the dramatic moment when a political union begins to come apart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does secede come from?
The word comes from Latin secedere, formed from se- meaning “apart” and cedere meaning “to go” or “yield.” English borrowed it in the early 17th century in political and legal contexts, initially with meanings connected with withdrawal or separation. The noun secession was also derived from this Latin verb. Related English words include cession and seceder, reflecting the same Latin root of going, yielding, or withdrawing.
Related word forms
How secede is actually used
The word is relatively formal and is especially common in political, legal, and historical writing. It usually describes a collective, organized withdrawal rather than an individual leaving a group.
Easily confused with secede
To secede is to withdraw from a group or union, whereas to cede is to surrender or transfer possession of something, such as territory or a right.
Secede means to withdraw from a group, while precede means to come or occur before something else.