separation

noun

sep·a·ra·tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən

Synonyms of separation next

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

: a point, line, or means of division

: an intervening space : gap

the separation between wheel spokes

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

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

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 Lionsgate Studios debuted as a standalone public entity on May 14 under the Nasdaq ticker symbol LION, which was a step toward the full separation of its studio business and the Starz TV network and streaming business. —

Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Aug. 2024 The separations move both industries to focus more deeply on their core value, which could lead to more consolidation within their respective sectors. —

Kerry Flynn, Axios, 7 Aug. 2024 Instilling an ethics code has also raised concerns about the separation of powers. —

Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Aug. 2024 Mi-jin’s transformation provides a seamless separation between these two opposing genres—one bleak and the other irreverent—and builds drama from the friction that hard limit creates. —

Geoffrey Bunting, TIME, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for separation

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'separation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of separation was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Separation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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Kids Definition

separation

noun

sep·a·ra·tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən

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

: a point or line of division

: a space that comes between things : gap

the separation between wheel spokes

: a formal separating of spouses by agreement but without divorce

: 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

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

also : the resulting state

: dislocation see shoulder separation

Legal Definition

separation

noun

sep·a·ra·tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən

: 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.

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

Last Updated: 11 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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separation

noun

Synonyms

Examples of separation in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near separation

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition