Separation: meaning, definitions and examples

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separation

[ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal

The act of separating two or more things or people. It can refer to the process of ending a marriage or a business partnership.

Synonyms

division, parting, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
separation	Used to describe a general state of being apart or the process of becoming apart. Often used in emotional or legal contexts. The separation of church and state is a fundamental principle in many countries. Their separation was tough on both of them, especially the children.
division	Used in both mathematical and general contexts to describe the act or process of splitting into parts or groups. Also used in organizational contexts. The division of the company into smaller units helped in its diversification. Division problems are a key part of elementary mathematics.
split	Used to describe a quick or forceful break or division, often with some disagreement or conflict involved. The political party's split caused a lot of turmoil among its members. They decided to split the bill after the meal.
parting	Typically used to describe the action or emotion involved in saying goodbye. Often emotional and heartfelt. Their parting was tearful but they promised to keep in touch. The parting gift was a small token of appreciation for his hard work.

Examples of usage

The separation of church and state is a fundamental principle of democracy.
After the separation, they divided their assets and moved on with their lives.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

science

The process of moving something away from something else or the state of being apart.

Synonyms

detachment, division, isolation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
separation	Use this when referring to physical or emotional distance between people or things. Often used in legal or formal contexts. The separation of the two companies was finalized last year The long separation from his family was difficult for him
division	This is used when something is split into parts, especially in organizational or mathematical contexts. It can also imply disagreement or conflict between groups. The company is undergoing a major division into three smaller units The political division in the country has deepened over the years
detachment	This is appropriate when talking about a state of being objective or distant emotionally. It can also refer to something being removed or disconnected. He spoke with a sense of detachment, as if he wasn't emotionally involved The engineer checked the mechanism for any signs of detachment
isolation	This is best for situations where someone or something is completely alone or separated from others, often with a negative or concerning connotation. The patient must remain in isolation to prevent infection His isolation from society made him feel very lonely

Examples of usage

The separation of the mixture into its individual components was achieved through chromatography.
The separation of the continents due to tectonic plate movement is a slow process.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

emotional

The feeling of distance or disconnection between individuals or groups.

Synonyms

disconnect, estrangement, isolation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
separation	Used to refer to the act of dividing or keeping apart. It can be used in both physical and emotional contexts. The separation of the two companies was finalized last month They decided on a trial separation to see if they could work through their issues
isolation	Typically refers to being alone or separated from others. It can be used in both physical and emotional contexts and often has a negative connotation, implying loneliness or being cut off. The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the disease She felt a deep sense of isolation after moving to a new city
estrangement	Refers to the state of being alienated or separated from someone, typically in a relationship context. It usually carries a negative connotation, implying emotional distance. His estrangement from his family has caused him a lot of pain They felt an increasing estrangement in their marriage
disconnect	Often used to describe a lack of connection or understanding between people, ideas, or systems. It can also refer to the action of detaching something. There is a disconnect between what the management says and what the employees believe Please disconnect the charger from the wall socket

Examples of usage

Their separation for months led to a sense of loneliness and longing.
The separation from her family made her appreciate their presence even more.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'separatio', meaning 'to divide or set apart'.
In Middle English, it was used to describe both physical and emotional distances.

Cultural Perspectives

Many cultures have rituals or ceremonies that symbolize separation, such as graduations or farewells.
In literature, separation often represents personal growth, as characters may evolve when they are apart.

Psychology

Separation can evoke a range of emotions, from sadness to relief, depending on context.
Attachment theory suggests that separation experiences during childhood can influence adult relationships.

Legal Context

In legal terms, separation often refers to a status of living apart, particularly in marriage, before divorce.
There are different forms of legal separation, each with its implications on financial and parental responsibilities.

Science

In physics, separation can refer to the distance between objects or forces acting on different bodies.
Biological separation can occur through processes like cell division, where one cell splits into two.

Translations

Translations of the word "separation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 separação

🇮🇳 विभाजन

🇩🇪 Trennung

🇮🇩 pemisahan

🇺🇦 розділення

🇵🇱 rozdział

🇯🇵 分離 (ぶんり)

🇫🇷 séparation

🇪🇸 separación

🇹🇷 ayrılma

🇰🇷 분리 (bunli)

🇸🇦 فصل

🇨🇿 oddělení

🇸🇰 oddelenie

🇨🇳 分离 (fēn lí)

🇸🇮 ločitev

🇮🇸 aðskilnaður

🇰🇿 бөліну

🇬🇪 გამოყოფა

🇦🇿 ayrılma

🇲🇽 separación

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,358, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2355 theoretical
2356 repair
2357 taste
2358 separation
2359 sweet
2360 partial
2361 directions
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