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verb

dismember

dihs-MEHM-buh

Dismember (verb) means to cut or tear the limbs off a body. Example: “The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims.”

verb
1
To cut or tear the limbs off a body.
"The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims."
2
To divide something, such as a country or organization, into separate pieces.
"The treaty effectively dismembered the old empire into several smaller states."

How to use dismember

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo cut apart at the joints or limbs, literally or (for countries/organizations) figuratively.

Common pairings
dismember a body dismember a nation

Word forms

dismembered past tense, dismembers singular

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The horror film showed the creature _____ its victims.

Etymology

From Old French desmembrer, from des- + membre ("limb").

Origin: Old French

discerp take apart

Related words

Rhymes for dismember

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dismember” mean?

The word “dismember” means to cut or tear the limbs off a body. In plain terms, to cut apart at the joints or limbs, literally or (for countries/organizations) figuratively.

How do you pronounce “dismember”?

“Dismember” is pronounced dihs-MEHM-buh (/ˌdɪsˈmɛmbə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “dismember” in a sentence?

Here is “dismember” used in a sentence: “The horror film showed the creature dismembering its victims.”

What part of speech is “dismember”?

“Dismember” is a verb.

Where does the word “dismember” come from?

The word “dismember” comes from Old French. From Old French desmembrer, from des- + membre ("limb").

How many meanings does “dismember” have?

“Dismember” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut or tear the limbs off a body.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial