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

• 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

Each verse is a heartfelt exploration of sorrow, capturing the complexity of human emotions in the face of separation. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025

Held without bail, Combs has lived in a dormitory-style unit known as 4 North, which houses high-profile inmates and those requiring separation from the general population. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

The separation comes five years after the couple were ensnared in the college admissions scandal, pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud related to paying hundreds of thousands in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California. —Brie Stimson , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Such political interference and its likely consequences for monetary policy could lead to major inflationary pressures as the traditional separation between the executive and the running of the Federal Reserve becomes narrower. —Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

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)