verb · to chop someone in half at the waist as a form of capital punishment

这种腰斩的酷刑早在清朝就被废除了。

verb · to reduce something (such as a price, value, or quantity) by a dramatic margin, typically by half

由于市场不景气，该公司的股价在半年内被腰斩。

verb · to cut short or cancel something prematurely, such as a creative project, television show, or book series

因为收视率太低，这出新剧播了三集就惨遭腰斩。