isolate

1 of 3

verb

iso·​late ˈī-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce isolate (audio)
 also  ˈi-
isolated; isolating

transitive verb

1
: to set apart from others
also : quarantine
2
: to select from among others
especially : to separate from another substance so as to obtain pure or in a free state
3
isolator
ˈī-sə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce isolate (audio)
 also  ˈi-
noun

isolate

2 of 3

adjective

iso·​late ˈī-sə-lət How to pronounce isolate (audio) -ˌlāt How to pronounce isolate (audio)
 also  ˈi-
: being alone : solitary, isolated

isolate

3 of 3

noun

iso·​late ˈī-sə-lət How to pronounce isolate (audio) -ˌlāt How to pronounce isolate (audio)
 also  ˈi-
1
: an individual, population, strain, or culture obtained by or resulting from selection or separation
2
: an individual socially withdrawn or removed from society

Examples of isolate in a Sentence

Verb These policies will only serve to isolate the country politically and economically. Certain patients must be isolated in a separate ward. When he wants to work, he isolates himself in his office and won't talk to anyone. Scientists have isolated the gene that causes the disease. Noun interpersonal relationships are very stressful for him, so he lives as a virtual isolate
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The tide could be a foot higher than the point where major flooding begins that can produce severe damage to homes and businesses, making some roads impassable and isolating neighborhoods. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 Scenes from Gaza of devastation and hunger, as well as a famine declaration, have prompted outrage around the world and left Israel isolated diplomatically. Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
By comparison, clear protein is composed of whey protein isolate—a version of whey protein concentrate that has been further refined to remove the fat and carbs, according to Dada. Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Oct. 2025 Many meat substitutes are ultra-processed, filled with sodium, inflammatory oils, and synthetic additives like methylcellulose and soy protein isolate. Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for isolate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from isolated set apart, from French isolé, from Italian isolato, from isola island, from Latin insula

First Known Use

Verb

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of isolate was in 1799

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Isolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isolate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

isolate

verb
iso·​late
ˈī-sə-ˌlāt,
 also  ˈis-ə-
isolated; isolating
: to set or keep apart from others
Etymology

Verb

derived from French isolé (adjective) "isolated, set off from others," from Italian isola "island," from Latin insula "island" — related to insulate, isle, peninsula

Medical Definition

isolate

1 of 2 transitive verb
iso·​late ˈī-sə-ˌlāt How to pronounce isolate (audio)
isolated; isolating
: to set apart from others: as
a
: to separate (one with a contagious disease) from others not similarly infected
b
: to separate (as a chemical compound) from all other substances : obtain pure or in a free state

isolate

2 of 2 noun
iso·​late ˈī-sə-lət How to pronounce isolate (audio) -ˌlāt How to pronounce isolate (audio)
1
: an individual (as a spore or single organism), a viable part of an organism (as a cell), or a strain that has been isolated (as from diseased tissue, contaminated water, or the air)
also : a pure culture produced from such an isolate
2
: a relatively homogeneous population separated from related populations by geographic, biologic, or social factors or by human intervention
3
: a socially withdrawn individual

More from Merriam-Webster on isolate

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