severance vs separation

severance and separation both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
severance	Yes	No	No	No
separation	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, separation is a hypernym of severance; that is, separation is a word with a broader meaning than severance:

Other hypernyms of severance include breakup, detachment.

severance (noun)	separation (noun)
the act of severing	the social act of separating or parting company
a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)	the act of dividing or disconnecting
	(law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either by mutual agreement or under a court order)
	sorting one thing from others
	the distance between things
	coming apart
	the termination of employment (by resignation or dismissal)
	the space where a division or parting occurs
	the state of lacking unity