1 separation | Definition of separation

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion | \ ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio) \

Definition of separation

1 : the act or process of separating : the state of being separated
2a : a point, line, or means of division
b : an intervening space : gap the separation between wheel spokes
3a : 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)

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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

Modern humans are the products of a sprawling history of shifts and dispersals, separations and reunions—a history characterized by far more diversity, movement and mixture than seemed imaginable a mere decade ago. Wired, "Humans and Neanderthals Kept Breeding—and Breeding—for Ages," 1 Sep. 2019 The problems include broken marriages and relationships, financial problems and legal trouble that puts a service member at risk of a court-martial or separation from the military. Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "Air Force struggling to halt spike in suicides," 31 Aug. 2019 But after federal court rulings in Baltimore and New Jersey determined such inspections by local governments were a violation of church and state separation, Broward changed its process in the early 2000s to mostly record-keeping. Larry Barszewski, sun-sentinel.com, "$200 fee amounts to ‘tax on being Jewish.’ It’s about to change.," 30 Aug. 2019 The greatest separation comes when its time to kick a field goal or extra point — Bernard bent over the ball seven yards in front of Heicklen, who is on one knee, with Araiza standing another three steps back and two steps over. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Aztecs count on synchronicity of snapper-holder-kicker combination," 29 Aug. 2019 Green Bay Packers: Marquez Valdes-Scantling will finish 2019 as a top-30 fantasy wide receiver Valdes-Scantling had the league's third-best separation rate (per PFF). Kevin Hanson, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2019: 32 Bold Predictions on Cam Newton, Derrick Henry, More," 29 Aug. 2019 The first two, conducted in early April, produced barely any separation between the craft and the ground; Starhopper was tethered for safety’s sake both times. Mike Wall, Scientific American, "SpaceX Starhopper Rocket Prototype Aces Highest (and Final) Test Flight," 28 Aug. 2019 Family separation can cause psychological trauma, resulting in conditions that include depression, anxiety, aggression, and, sometimes, premature death. National Geographic, "African elephants can now only rarely be taken from the wild and sent to faraway zoos," 28 Aug. 2019 In court documents, their separation date is listed as April 3, 2018. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Gina Kirschenheiter's Ex Matt Claims He Lost Job Over Arrest, Reveals Her RHOC Salary," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'separation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of separation

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for separation

separation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of separation

: the act of separating people or things or the state of being separated
: a situation in which a husband and wife live apart from each other

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion | \ ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio) \

Kids Definition of separation

1 : the act of setting or pulling apart : the state of being set or pulled apart
2 : a point or line at which something is divided
3 : a space between The buildings have a narrow separation.

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion | \ ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio) \

Medical Definition of separation

1 : the process of isolating or extracting from or of becoming isolated from a mixture also : the resulting state

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separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion | \ ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio) \

Legal Definition of separation

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)