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, divergenceRelated Words difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissidence, dissimilarity, distinction, distinctiveness, distinctness, diversity, unlikenessNear Antonyms accord, agreement; likeness, similarityAntonyms 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, gap, voidRelated 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, partingRelated Words departure, egress, exit, exiting, exodus, going, leaving, quitting, running away; decamping, decampment, flight, withdrawal; abandonment, desertion, forsakingNear 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, division, separatorRelated Words barrier, fence, wall; border, boundary, limit