Definition of severity

• n. - The quality or state of being severe.
• n. - Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties.
• n. - The quality or power of distressing or paining; extreme degree; extremity; intensity; inclemency; as, the severity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter.
• n. - Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war.
• n. - Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test.