dismember

verb

dis·​mem·​ber (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering (ˌ)dis-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of
2
: to break up or tear into pieces
dismemberment noun

Examples of dismember in a Sentence

The victims' bodies had been dismembered and buried in the basement. quickly dismembered the old toolshed and hauled it off to the dump
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The general practitioner murdered his wife, Isabella, and their nursemaid, Mary, before dismembering them and scattering their body parts in an attempt to thwart the investigation into their murders, according to the BBC. Sean Neumann, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024 Forensic evidence, the chief told reporters, shows she was killed in the bedroom of their home, dragged into the bathroom and dismembered. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024 The trial for Maxwell Anderson, the man accused of murdering and dismembering a 19-year-old Milwaukee student, has been delayed from next week to May. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024 In September 2021, Thornburg killed three people, dismembered their bodies and stored them under his bed at a motel in Euless, Texas, before lighting the bodies on fire inside a dumpster in Fort Worth. Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dismember 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dismembren, from Anglo-French desmembrer, from des- dis- + membre member

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismember was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dismember

Cite this Entry

“Dismember.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismember. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dismember

verb
dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)
1
: to cut off or separate the limbs or parts of
2
: to break up or tear into pieces
dismemberment noun

Medical Definition

dismember

transitive verb
dis·​mem·​ber (ˈ)dis-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce dismember (audio)
dismembered; dismembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce dismember (audio)
: to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of
dismemberment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dismember

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!