Entry Word: separation

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces <the separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia>

Synonyms breakup, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionation, partition, schism, split

Related Words breach, rupture; decomposition, disassembly, segmentation, subdivision; dispersal, scattering; administration, apportionment, distribution; isolation, seclusion, segregation, sequestration

Near Antonyms assemblage, association; attachment, connection, link, linkage, linkup; combination, fusion

Antonyms unification, union

2 the state of being kept distinct <the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States>

Synonyms demarcation, discreteness, discrimination, distinction

Related Words differentiation

Near Antonyms blurring, confusion

3 a movement in different directions away from a common point <a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled> — see divergence
4 an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) <the separation between posts in the fence> — see gap 1
5 the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions <separations always made her sad> — see parting 1