isolation

noun iso·la·tion \ ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən also ˌi- \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: isolation in a Sentence

Definition of isolation

: the action of isolating : the condition of being isolated

See isolation defined for English-language learners

See isolation defined for kids

Examples of isolation in a Sentence

the isolation of the mountain community
forced isolation always made the sociable child lonely

Recent Examples of isolation from the Web

After years of isolation, Mr. Kim has aggressively pursued diplomatic relations in recent months.

— motoko rich, New York Times, "North Korea Says Syria’s Assad Will Visit With Kim," 3 June 2018
Kim has been on a diplomatic blitz recently, after years of isolation.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: Assad to Meet With Kim Jong-un in North Korea," 3 June 2018
North Korea's history of isolation has traditionally forced US intelligence agencies to utilize second-hand information gathered through interviews with individuals who have had direct contact Kim during his life.

— zachary cohen, barbara starr and jenna mclaughlin, CNN, "US sizes up Kim ahead of possible nuclear talks," 31 May 2018
Thousands of years of isolation created unique animals and plants on the five islands that make up the national park.

— rosemary mcclure, latimes.com, "Channel Islands and an expedition ship? It's a match made in heaven," 15 May 2018
Argentina has once again gone cap in hand to the International Monetary Fund, 17 years after its last debt crisis sparked a long period of isolation.

— nathaniel taplin, WSJ, "Mahathir Zaps Malaysia Back to the Future," 10 May 2018
Although Everest is quite different from the ISS, low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, and strong feelings of isolation make for intensely stressful conditions.

— vedrana simicevic, Science | AAAS, "Two mountaineers are trying to recreate NASA’s twin study—on Mount Everest," 4 May 2018
For decades now, Mahogany has fought that pain of isolation Melissa felt as a kid by providing representation and uplifting the people.

— jeneé osterheldt, kansascity, "30 years of Mahogany: Thanks, Hallmark, for understanding how Black Lives Matter | The Kansas City Star," 3 May 2018
For some, the sense of social of isolation was too much to bear.

— roberta brown, Vogue, "Why I Left My Life as a Nun and Became a Sex Therapist," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'isolation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of isolation

1833

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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isolation Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of isolation

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone. solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

- a few quiet hours of solitude

isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

- the isolation of the village in winter

seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

- lived in pastoral seclusion

ISOLATION Defined for English Language Learners

isolation

noun

Definition of isolation for English Language Learners

: the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others : the condition of being isolated
: the act of separating something from other things : the act of isolating something