separation

/,sepə'reiʃn/
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separation

The child sorted the blocks by color, placing a clear separation between the red and blue piles.

Definition

Noun 1. The act or process of moving or being moved apart; division or disconnection. - This refers to the action of making things distinct or no longer joined, or the state resulting from this action. 2. A period or instance of living apart, especially between married couples. - This refers to a formal or informal arrangement where a couple stops living together. 3. The condition of being isolated or set apart from others. - This refers to the state of being distinct, alone, or segregated. 4. A point, line, or area where division occurs; a gap. - This refers to the physical space between things. 5. The sorting or differentiation of one thing from another. - This refers to the process of classifying or distinguishing items.

Examples of Usage
  • General Act/State:
    • The separation of the two fighting dogs was difficult.
    • There is a clear separation between his work life and his personal life.
  • Between People/Couples:
    • After ten years of marriage, they decided on a trial separation.
    • The long separation from his family was hard for the soldier.
  • Physical Gap/Distance:
    • The architect designed the building with a wide separation between the windows.
    • Maintain a safe separation between vehicles on the highway.
  • Sorting/Differentiation:
    • The separation of recyclable materials is important for the environment.
    • The theory requires the separation of variables to solve the equation.
Advanced Usage
  • "Judicial separation": A legal decree by a court that a married couple no longer has to live together, but does not dissolve the marriage.
    • They sought a judicial separation while deciding the future of their marriage.
  • "Separation of powers": The constitutional principle that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches (e.g., executive, legislative, judicial) to prevent the concentration of power.
    • The U.S. Constitution is founded on the principle of the separation of powers.
  • "Separation anxiety": Distress or fear experienced by someone, often a child, when separated from a person or place to which they are attached.
    • The puppy showed signs of separation anxiety when left alone.
Variants and Related Words
  • Separate (verb): To move or set apart; to divide.
    • Please separate the blue socks from the white ones.
  • Separate (adjective): Not joined or connected; distinct.
    • They kept their finances in separate accounts.
  • Separately (adverb): As a distinct entity; apart.
    • The items are sold separately.
  • Separateness (noun): The quality or state of being separate.
  • Separator (noun): A device or object that causes separation.
Synonyms
  • Division: The action of separating something into parts.
  • Disconnection: The state of being detached or unfastened.
  • Partition: The action of dividing a space with a barrier.
  • Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups.
  • Isolation: The process of being set apart from others.
Antonyms
  • Connection
  • Union
  • Integration
  • Joining
  • Unification
Related Phrases/Idioms
  • "To go one's separate ways": To end a relationship or association and pursue different paths.
    • After graduation, the friends went their separate ways.
  • "A separation of church and state": The principle that government and religious institutions should be kept independent of each other.
    • The debate centered on the interpretation of separation of church and state.
separation

The child sorted the blocks by color, placing a clear separation between the red and blue piles.

Noun
  1. the act of dividing or disconnecting
  2. (law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either by mutual agreement or under a court order)
  3. the termination of employment (by resignation or dismissal)
  4. the space where a division or parting occurs
    • he hid in the separation between walls
  5. the social act of separating or parting company
    • the separation of church and state
  6. sorting one thing from others
    • the separation of wheat from chaff
    • the separation of mail by postal zones
  7. the distance between things
    • fragile items require separation and cushioning
  8. coming apart
  9. the state of lacking unity