self-isolation

noun

self-iso·​la·​tion ˌself-ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce self-isolation (audio)
also -ˌi-
: the act of isolating or separating oneself or itself from others
the country's policy of self-isolation
"Unfortunately, people with depression are notorious for self-isolation. They tend to retract from social connection, which is often the very thing they need in order to feel better," says Dr. [Pam] Garcy.PRWeb Newswire
Many high-level British officials are in self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms.Kim Hjelmgaard

Examples of self-isolation in a Sentence

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.
Any people entering from Congo under emergency circumstances will be taken into mandatory self-isolation for 21 days. Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 Yet by 2012, Putin had steered the country back toward self-isolation and militarism. Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026 Health workers are trying to trace them and encourage self-isolation among those passengers, who hail from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026 In this movie-length sequel, Shelby decides to break his self-isolation when his son's recklessness forces his hand. Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026 November 2025 Three of Pentacles: November is giving you a chance to set yourself free from self-isolation and suffering. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2025 Long-term implications of using AI as a romantic partner can include but are not limited to: social isolation, increases in depression, self-isolation, withdrawal, and potential abandonment of significant human sources of support. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025 This figure reached a record high of 25% in 2020 and 2021, amidst the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns and periods of self-isolation. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 Related article Bullying only leads to self-isolation, Xi says day after US-China tariff truce On Monday, Asian shares slipped as a mixed bag of Chinese economic data showed the domestic economy was struggling even as US tariffs began to bite into exports. Reuters, CNN Money, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-isolation was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Self-isolation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-isolation. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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