1. to remove the official status or recognition of (a church or religious institution), especially by withdrawing state support or legal privileges
Usage: formal; chiefly historical or political

Examples

• The government disestablishes the national church by passing new legislation.
• Parliament voted to disestablish the Anglican Church in Wales during the 19th century.
• The reform disestablishes religious institutions from state control.
• When a country disestablishes its official religion, it separates church and state.
• The law disestablishes the privileged position that the church had held for centuries.