separator

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tor ˈse-pə-ˌrā-tər 

ˈse-ˌprā-tər

: one that separates

especially : a device for separating liquids of different specific gravities (such as cream from milk) or liquids from solids

Synonyms of separator

• divider
• fence
• wall

Examples of separator in a Sentence

the toddler insisted on a dinner plate with separators so that different foods would never touch one another

Recent Examples on the Web

With the bases loaded and one out, Levenson delivered the separator, ripping a two-run line drive into right-center to stretch the lead to 4-0. —Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026

The coaster cars don’t start spinning until midway through the journey when the riders find the elusive Lego brick separator and save the Lego Galaxy. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026

Fernández addressed it plainly afterward, pointing to the giveaways as the separator in a game that got away from his team early and never came back. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026

Or strain it into a fat separator. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for separator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

separator

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tor ˈsep-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

: one that separates

especially : a device for separating liquids (as cream from milk) of different densities or liquids from solids

Medical Definition

separator

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tor ˈsep-(ə-)ˌrāt-ər 

: one that separates: as

a

: a device for separating liquids of different specific gravities (as cream from milk) or liquids from solids

b

: a dental appliance for separating adjoining teeth to give access to their surfaces