separation

separation

noun

Definition of SEPARATION

1

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces <the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905>

Synonyms bifurcation, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, schism, scission, split, sundering

Related Words breach, rupture; divorce, severance; decomposition, disassembly, dismemberment, segmentation, subdivision; atomization, dichotomization, polarization; diffusion, dispersal, dispersion, scattering; administration, apportionment, distribution; isolation, seclusion, segregation, sequestration

Near Antonyms assemblage, association; attachment, conjunction, connection, link, linkage, linkup; aggregation, combination, consolidation, 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; isolation, segregation

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>

Synonyms bifurcation, divarication, divergency, separation

Related Words difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissidence, dissimilarity, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diversity, unlikeness

Near Antonyms accord, agreement; likeness, similarity

Antonyms convergence

4

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) <the narrow separation between posts in the fence>

Synonyms breach, break, discontinuity, gulf, hiatus, hole, interstice, interval, opening, rent, rift, separation, void

Related Words chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure; notch, slit, slot, split; interspace, pore; abyss, aperture, cavity, chasm, gape, orifice; fracture, rupture, severance, sundering

5

the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions <friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation>

Synonyms farewell, leave-taking, separation

Related Words departure, egress, exit, exiting, exodus, going, leaving, quitting, running away; decamping, decampment, flight, withdrawal; abandonment, desertion, forsaking

Near Antonyms reunion; arrival, greeting, salutation, welcome; gathering, joining, meeting

6

something that divides, separates, or marks off <a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations>

Synonyms divider, partition, separation, separator

Related Words barrier, fence, wall; border, boundary, limit