sep·a·rate
ˈse-pə-ˌrāt 
ˈse-ˌprāt
separated; separating
1
a
: to set or keep apart : disconnect, sever
b
: to make a distinction between : discriminate, distinguish
separate religion from magic
c
: sort
separate mail
d
: to disperse in space or time : scatter
widely separated homesteads
3
4
: to block off : segregate
5
a
: to isolate from a mixture : extract
separate cream from milk
b
: to divide into constituent parts
6
: to dislocate (something, such as a shoulder) especially in sports
1
: to become divided or detached
2
a
: to sever an association : withdraw
b
: to cease to live together as a married couple
3
: to go in different directions
4
: to become isolated from a mixture
the crystals separated out
sep·a·rate
ˈse-p(ə-)rət
1
2
a
: not shared with another : individual
separate rooms
b
often capitalized
: estranged from a parent body
separate churches
3
a
: existing by itself : autonomous
a separate country
b
: dissimilar in nature or identity
consulted five separate authorities
sep·a·rate
ˈse-p(ə-)rət
1
: offprint
2
: an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form various costume combinations
—usually used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of separate in a Sentence
Verb
Though mechanical grain cutters, called reapers, began appearing around 1800, it was with Cyrus H. McCormick's version that agriculture entered the industrial age. Older reapers simply cut and dropped grain; McCormick's cut, separated, and collected it, increasing production and, ultimately, positioning the American Midwest as the breadbasket to the world.
—
Saveur, June/July 2008
Xanthan gum, for instance … is used in bottled salad dressing to slow the settling of the spice particles and keep water and oil from separating.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2007
The fact is that Washington has relaxed financial regulations under both Democratic and Republican administrations, opening the doors to conflicts of interest between brokers and investment bankers. In 1998, government, despite concerns, refused to separate consulting and auditing business.
—Jeff Madrick, New York Times Book Review, 29 Jan. 2006
On July 11 Brinkley's publicist announced the couple had separated. "She has been extremely concerned about the impact of this situation on her children and felt it was very important to protect them and take them away for a little bit," says one of Brinkley's close friends. "She is totally shocked and just devastated."
—Ericka Souter et al., People, 31 July 2006
They described the process used to separate cream from milk.
A great distance separated the sisters from each other.
They walked together to the corner, but then they separated and went their separate ways.
The main group separated into several smaller groups.
Oil and water separate when combined together.
The oil separated from the water.
The salt crystals separated out of the liquid.
Adjective
Today, there are an estimated 30,000 teams playing travel ball, which is entirely separate from more long-standing youth organizations like Little League …
—Sara Corbett, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006
On my last visit to Lucio, I went with a Spanish TV starlet whose sultry looks helped us land a prime table. Dining at separate tables around us were the Duchess of Badajoz, the king's sister; novelist Mario Vargas Llosa; and a gentleman rumored to be Spain's richest man.
—Anya von Bremzen, Saveur, November 2006
A variation of these reactions is reflected in the American deaf community, which is divided into two groups. One rejects the notion that they are disabled. Rather, they claim, they are a separate culture with its own language. The second group defines its deafness as a disability and is more likely to assimilate into the able-bodied world.
—Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004
There are separate restrooms for men and women.
The boys have separate rooms.
They slept in separate beds.
We use the same Internet service provider but have separate accounts.
That's an entirely separate issue.
Noun
"Women have a very strong sense of what works for them," says Lyn Devon, the New York designer who sells a nuanced line of silk separates and tailored dresses from her SoHo studio.
—Jane Herman, Vogue, June 2006
Saveur, June/July 2008
Xanthan gum, for instance … is used in bottled salad dressing to slow the settling of the spice particles and keep water and oil from separating.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2007
The fact is that Washington has relaxed financial regulations under both Democratic and Republican administrations, opening the doors to conflicts of interest between brokers and investment bankers. In 1998, government, despite concerns, refused to separate consulting and auditing business.
—Jeff Madrick, New York Times Book Review, 29 Jan. 2006
On July 11 Brinkley's publicist announced the couple had separated. "She has been extremely concerned about the impact of this situation on her children and felt it was very important to protect them and take them away for a little bit," says one of Brinkley's close friends. "She is totally shocked and just devastated."
—Ericka Souter et al., People, 31 July 2006
They described the process used to separate cream from milk.
A great distance separated the sisters from each other.
They walked together to the corner, but then they separated and went their separate ways.
The main group separated into several smaller groups.
Oil and water separate when combined together.
The oil separated from the water.
The salt crystals separated out of the liquid.
Adjective
Today, there are an estimated 30,000 teams playing travel ball, which is entirely separate from more long-standing youth organizations like Little League …
—Sara Corbett, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006
On my last visit to Lucio, I went with a Spanish TV starlet whose sultry looks helped us land a prime table. Dining at separate tables around us were the Duchess of Badajoz, the king's sister; novelist Mario Vargas Llosa; and a gentleman rumored to be Spain's richest man.
—Anya von Bremzen, Saveur, November 2006
A variation of these reactions is reflected in the American deaf community, which is divided into two groups. One rejects the notion that they are disabled. Rather, they claim, they are a separate culture with its own language. The second group defines its deafness as a disability and is more likely to assimilate into the able-bodied world.
—Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004
There are separate restrooms for men and women.
The boys have separate rooms.
They slept in separate beds.
We use the same Internet service provider but have separate accounts.
That's an entirely separate issue.
Noun
"Women have a very strong sense of what works for them," says Lyn Devon, the New York designer who sells a nuanced line of silk separates and tailored dresses from her SoHo studio.
—Jane Herman, Vogue, June 2006
Recent Examples on the WebEmily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
And note that No. 4 is American Express, which has separated itself from its downtown New York neighbor Goldman Sachs by leaning into remote work.
—Alan Murray, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
The nose of the ship, responsible for separating the waves before it, is also called a bow, and is marked for passengers as the FWD, or forward.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The pair saw a couples counselor in the latest episode and separated after filming ended.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Chop broccoli: Meanwhile, cut the broccoli florets from the stems, and separate the florets into small pieces using the tip of a paring knife.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
Yahoo has hundreds of millions of readers — but could use a dose of tech-forward cool to separate it from all the internet’s other news aggregators.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
Flexible work’s impact on housing The housing crisis can’t quite be separated from the remote-work revolution.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024
In Friday’s tally, 293 votes separated McCarty from Pan.
Pan, a Democrat who served the capital region in the Legislature between 2010 and 2022, conceded shortly after the tally was updated.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024
Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Each room and suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, and the latter offers free-standing tubs and separate living rooms.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024
The Texas initiative is separate from federal border enforcement activities.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
In a separate statement to CBS News on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Delaware County, which includes Aston, confirmed the fatality.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The answer, her attorney said, has to do with sealed documents Jolie submitted in the ex-couple’s separate but simultaneous custody dispute.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Two high-ranking officials on separate teams — one from each conference — believe Lee is a lead candidate and front-runner to be Clifford’s successor.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
The ticket is a separate event ticket from park admission.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The toggle switch that has attracted a few headlines is Discoverable by Others, which is on by default and separate from journal suggestions.
—David Nield, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Fishnets and fluffy socks are complemented by ethereal lace separates and leather.
—Audra Heinrichs, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
From suiting and separates, to dresses and gowns that could be worn again (and again), some of the buzziest wedding dress designers and brands are reshaping the possibilities of wedding day attire.
—Laura Neilson, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
The first Gen Z-er to occupy the White House, Obama is adopting the new generation’s sartorial tendencies, showing off a penchant for baggy separates, cropped shirts, funky pattern mixing, and lug-sole stompers.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2024
Sinead O’Dwyer, remaining faithful to her signature hip-skimming style, unveiled a collection of tailored separates, showcasing her versatility.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024
From his vantage point this looks like denim that has been worn countless times, upcycled taffeta dresses as well as upcycled leather separates that feel lived-in.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Feb. 2024
Modern silhouette For those who want the ease of athleisure with a luxurious look, opt for these matching separates from Spanx.
—Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024
Ibex’s lightweight yet ultra-warm layers are a winner, as are the brand’s sleek active separates, including moisture-wicking cotton terry joggers for men and women and merino wool jackets, like this sporty bomber and classic zip-up, which can transition from the plane to the slopes in a flash.
—Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024
Verb
Just 64 votes separated Ramirez from his nearest rival.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
And note that No. 4 is American Express, which has separated itself from its downtown New York neighbor Goldman Sachs by leaning into remote work.
—Alan Murray, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
The nose of the ship, responsible for separating the waves before it, is also called a bow, and is marked for passengers as the FWD, or forward.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The pair saw a couples counselor in the latest episode and separated after filming ended.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Chop broccoli: Meanwhile, cut the broccoli florets from the stems, and separate the florets into small pieces using the tip of a paring knife.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
Yahoo has hundreds of millions of readers — but could use a dose of tech-forward cool to separate it from all the internet’s other news aggregators.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
Flexible work’s impact on housing The housing crisis can’t quite be separated from the remote-work revolution.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024
In Friday’s tally, 293 votes separated McCarty from Pan.
Pan, a Democrat who served the capital region in the Legislature between 2010 and 2022, conceded shortly after the tally was updated.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024
Adjective
This compact appliance grinds whole beans using a conical burr grinder and then feeds them directly into a reusable filter for brewing, eliminating the need for a separate grinder.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024
Each room and suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, and the latter offers free-standing tubs and separate living rooms.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024
The Texas initiative is separate from federal border enforcement activities.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
In a separate statement to CBS News on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Delaware County, which includes Aston, confirmed the fatality.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The answer, her attorney said, has to do with sealed documents Jolie submitted in the ex-couple’s separate but simultaneous custody dispute.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Two high-ranking officials on separate teams — one from each conference — believe Lee is a lead candidate and front-runner to be Clifford’s successor.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
The ticket is a separate event ticket from park admission.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
The toggle switch that has attracted a few headlines is Discoverable by Others, which is on by default and separate from journal suggestions.
—David Nield, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
Team it up with easy separates like a cardigan and ivory pencil skirt.
—Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Fishnets and fluffy socks are complemented by ethereal lace separates and leather.
—Audra Heinrichs, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
From suiting and separates, to dresses and gowns that could be worn again (and again), some of the buzziest wedding dress designers and brands are reshaping the possibilities of wedding day attire.
—Laura Neilson, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
The first Gen Z-er to occupy the White House, Obama is adopting the new generation’s sartorial tendencies, showing off a penchant for baggy separates, cropped shirts, funky pattern mixing, and lug-sole stompers.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2024
Sinead O’Dwyer, remaining faithful to her signature hip-skimming style, unveiled a collection of tailored separates, showcasing her versatility.
—Sarah Mower, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024
From his vantage point this looks like denim that has been worn countless times, upcycled taffeta dresses as well as upcycled leather separates that feel lived-in.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Feb. 2024
Modern silhouette For those who want the ease of athleisure with a luxurious look, opt for these matching separates from Spanx.
—Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024
Ibex’s lightweight yet ultra-warm layers are a winner, as are the brand’s sleek active separates, including moisture-wicking cotton terry joggers for men and women and merino wool jackets, like this sporty bomber and classic zip-up, which can transition from the plane to the slopes in a flash.
—Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'separate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to separate
Dictionary Entries Near separate
Cite this Entry
“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
separate
1 of 3 verb
sep·a·rate
ˈsep-ə-ˌrāt
separated; separating
1
a
: to set or keep apart
separate the pages with a slip of paper
b
: to make a distinction between : distinguish
separate fact from fiction
c
: sort entry 2 sense 1
separate mail
d
: to spread widely in space or time : scatter
widely separated homesteads
2
: to end a relationship with that is bound by a contract
separated from the army
3
: to isolate or become isolated from a mixture
separate cream from milk
4
: to become divided or detached : come apart
5
: to cease to live together as a married couple
6
: to go in different directions
separate
2 of 3 adjective
sep·a·rate
ˈsep-(ə-)rət
1
: set or kept apart
the motel contains fifty separate units
2
: not shared with another : individual
separate rooms
3
: having independent existence
the separate pieces of a puzzle
separately
adverb
separateness
noun
separate
3 of 3 noun
sep·a·rate
ˈsep-(ə-)rət
: an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form different outfits
—usually used in plural
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
separate
verb
sep·a·rate
ˈse-pə-ˌrāt
separated; separating
: to cause the separation of
: to undergo a separation
the couple separated last year
compare divorce
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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