separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated
2
a
: a point, line, or means of division
b
: an intervening space : gap
the separation between wheel spokes
3
a
: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement or judicial decree
b
: termination of a contractual relationship (such as employment or military service)

Examples of separation in a Sentence

After a separation of 30 years, she visited her family in Cuba. Moving away meant separation from his family.
Recent Examples on the Web This cohort prioritizes flexibility and work-life balance, seeking a healthy separation between work and personal life. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The couple wanted some separation between different areas, while maintaining the unconventional spirit of the place. Max Berlinger, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Jax Taylor is offering clarification following the news of his separation from wife Brittany Cartwright. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The study looked at 29 metrics within the three categories, like the rate of sports participation, depression rate, job satisfaction and security, acres of parkland per 1,000 residents and the separation and divorce rate. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2024 Of the 182 cities evaluated, Fremont had the third-lowest rate of depression, lowest separation and divorce rate and the lowest share of adults who reported having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024 The police department's medical separations and workers' compensation submissions have been increasing for the past eight years, according to Phoenix data. Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024 Illustrative of that ideological separation is Kevin Kash, an Eritrean who moved to Charlotte 32 years ago to attend UNC Charlotte and was part of the celebration. Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2024 The company’s attorneys then go further, arguing that the structure of the agency — particularly limits on the removal of administrative law judges and five board members appointed by the president — violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution. Haleluya Hadero, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'separation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of separation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near separation

Cite this Entry

“Separation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated
2
a
: a point or line of division
b
: a space that comes between things : gap
the separation between wheel spokes
3
a
: a formal separating of spouses by agreement but without divorce
b
: the ending of a relationship that is bound by a contract (as employment or military service)

Medical Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the process of isolating or extracting from or of becoming isolated from a mixture
also : the resulting state
2

Legal Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement with intent that it be permanent
also : legal separation compare divorce

Note: In some cases in which the estrangement is extreme, a separation is considered to have occurred even when the couple retain the same residence if they have stopped communicating and engaging in sexual relations and intend to be separated.

2
: termination of a contractual relationship (as employment or military service)

More from Merriam-Webster on separation

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