1. the act of cutting off or separating the limbs or other parts of a body
Usage: often used in medical, legal, or forensic contexts
2. the act of dividing something into parts or breaking it apart
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The forensic team investigated the dismemberment of the victim.
• Medieval torture often involved dismemberment as punishment.
• The surgeon performed a careful dismemberment of the cadaver for study.
• The dismemberment of the company left employees uncertain about their future.
• Political analysts discussed the dismemberment of the coalition government.
• The dismemberment of the empire occurred over several decades.