separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated

2

a

: a point, line, or means of division

b

: an intervening space : gap

the separation between wheel spokes

3

a

: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement or judicial decree

b

: termination of a contractual relationship (such as employment or military service)

Synonyms of separation

• dissolution
• split
• breakup
• partition
• division

Examples of separation in a Sentence

After a separation of 30 years, she visited her family in Cuba.

Moving away meant separation from his family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Minney had stepped down as CEO in 2015 following her separation from her then-husband James—who continued as the brand’s CFO before becoming its group CEO and chair—many producers reached out to her for help with market access after orders evaporated. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2026

Fatone and his wife, high school sweetheart Kelly Baldwin, finalized their divorce in May 2019 after years of separation. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Both McCullough and Bulbrook maintain creative practices that require periods of focus as well as collaboration, and the separation between the various spaces allows those modes to coexist without friction. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026

Its opinion says that Congress lacks authority to regulate what happens to documents maintained in the executive branch and, as a result, the Presidential Records Act violates the separation of powers. —Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing separation

• grade separation
• separation anxiety
• separation of church and state

Rhymes for separation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated

2

a

: a point or line of division

b

: a space that comes between things : gap

the separation between wheel spokes

3

a

: a formal separating of spouses by agreement but without divorce

b

: the ending of a relationship that is bound by a contract (as employment or military service)

Medical Definition

separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the process of isolating or extracting from or of becoming isolated from a mixture

also : the resulting state

2

: dislocation see shoulder separation

Legal Definition

separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement with intent that it be permanent

also : legal separation compare divorce

Note: In some cases in which the estrangement is extreme, a separation is considered to have occurred even when the couple retain the same residence if they have stopped communicating and engaging in sexual relations and intend to be separated.

2

: termination of a contractual relationship (as employment or military service)