sequester

1 of 2

verb

se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwe-stər How to pronounce sequester (audio)
sequestered; sequestering si-ˈkwe-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sequester (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to set apart : segregate
sequester a jury
b
: seclude, withdraw
widely spaced homes are forbiddingly grand and sequesteredDon Asher
2
a
: to seize especially by a writ of sequestration
b
: to place (property) in custody especially in sequestration
3
: to bind (a metal or metal ion) in the form of a soluble complex or chelate by adding a suitable reagent for the purpose of preventing precipitation in water solution by chemical agents that would normally bring it about, of solubilizing precipitates already formed, or of otherwise suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity
sequester calcium and magnesium ions in the softening of hard water
also : to bind or absorb (carbon dioxide) as part of a larger chemical process or compound
… half of the starting material will be used up and half will be char. That can then be put back on the fields, where it will sequester carbon and help grow the next crop. Emma Marris

sequester

2 of 2

noun

1
: the imposition of automatic government spending reductions in accordance with sequestration
2
obsolete : separation, isolation

Did you know?

Sequester is a word that has important legal and scientific uses, and a long history besides. In fact, it can be traced back to the Latin preposition secus, meaning, well, “beside” or “alongside.” Setting someone or something apart (figuratively “to the side”) from the rest is sequester’s raison d’être. We frequently hear it in the context of the courtroom, as juries are sometimes sequestered for the safety of their members or to prevent the influence of outside sources on a verdict. It is also possible, legally speaking, to sequester property—sequester can mean both “to seize” and “to deposit” property by a writ of sequestration. The scientific sense of sequester most often encountered these days has to do with the binding or absorption of carbon. Kelp forests, for example, sequester massive amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, keeping it “apart” from the atmosphere—by some estimates doing so twenty times as much as terrestrial forests. You might even say kelp’s got this sequestering thing locked up.

Examples of sequester in a Sentence

Verb The jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached. He was sequestered in his room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The conclave happens when the group has to be sequestered to make the pick, and people forced to be together is always a great set up for drama. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024 They will be sequestered and meet every day until a worthy soul (or at the very least, the most politically savvy one) receives at least 72 votes. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 Jurors will be sequestered and kept from using cellphones or watching the news, CBS Chicago reported. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024 This technology has the potential to sequester gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. Marianne Lehnis, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sequester 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sequester.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sequestren, from Anglo-French sequestrer, from Latin sequestrare to hand over to a trustee, from sequester third party to whom disputed property is entrusted, agent, from secus beside, otherwise; akin to Latin sequi to follow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

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Dictionary Entries Near sequester

Cite this Entry

“Sequester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sequester. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sequester

verb
se·​ques·​ter
si-ˈkwes-tər
sequestered; sequestering
-t(ə-)riŋ
1
: to set apart : segregate
the jury was sequestered until a verdict was reached
2
: to take custody of (as personal property) until a demand is satisfied

Medical Definition

sequester

1 of 2 transitive verb
se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwes-tər How to pronounce sequester (audio)
: to hold (as a metallic ion) in solution especially for the purpose of suppressing undesired chemical or biological activity

sequester

2 of 2 noun

Legal Definition

sequester

1 of 2 transitive verb
se·​ques·​ter si-ˈkwes-tər How to pronounce sequester (audio)
sequestered; sequestering
1
: to place (as a jury or witness) in seclusion or isolation

Note: Juries are sequestered in order to preserve their impartiality. Witnesses are sequestered so that their testimony is not influenced by the testimony of prior witnesses.

2
a
: to seize especially by a writ of sequestration
b
: to deposit (property) in sequestration

sequester

2 of 2 noun
Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French sequestrer, from Middle French, from Latin sequestrare to hand over to a trustee, from sequester third party to whom disputed property is entrusted, agent, from secus beside, otherwise

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