isolation

American  

[ahy-suh-lay-shuhn, is-uh-] / ˌaɪ səˈleɪ ʃən, ˌɪs ə- /

noun

• isolations
  plural

1. 

   an act or instance of isolating.

2. the state of being isolated.

3. the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.

   Synonyms:

   segregation

4. the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.

5. Psychoanalysis. a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.

6. Sociology. social isolation.

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isolation British  

/ ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated

2. (of a country, party, etc) nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international politics

3. med

   1. social separation of a person who has or is suspected of having a contagious disease Compare quarantine

   2. ( as modifier )

      an isolation hospital

4. sociol a lack of contact between persons, groups, or whole societies

5. social psychol the failure of an individual to maintain contact with others or genuine communication where interaction with others persists

6. without regard to context, similar matters, etc

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Synonym Usage

See solitude.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reisolation
  noun
• anti-isolation
  adjective
• postisolation
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• isolations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of isolation

First recorded in 1825–35; isolate + -ion

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Explanation

Isolation means completely alone, like the stranded skiers who were in total isolation after an avalanche stranded them at the top of a mountain. People who live in isolation are completely cut off from the rest of the world, like the hermit who lives in a lonely mountain cabin because no one understands his desire to collect thimbles. A really contagious illness can land patients in isolation at their local hospital, kept separate from the rest of the hospital so they don't share their disease with the other patients. A country can exist in isolation, left alone because other nations don't agree with its policies.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

isolation isolations

Belgal remains in isolation at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn with a bullet still lodged in his neck, according to his lawyers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

And yet, despite all the tirades thrown Tanden’s way, the isolation doesn’t bother her.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

I suggest, unoriginally, that what we call the West emerged from, and is sustained by, the continuing tension between Athens and Jerusalem, not either in isolation from the other.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its Wellbeing for Us programme, aimed at residents aged 18 and over, was designed to help people build confidence and make meaningful social connections, while reducing isolation.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Gender, and potency, are not attained in isolation.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

File on 4 Investigates the use of internal isolations in secondary schools in England and hears from parents and students who say such techniques are affecting their mental health.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Shayewitz drew up all kinds of plays for Wells, isolations and post-ups and everything in between.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 16, 2023

And though he has only been in isolation 11 times, per Synergy’s data, the Clippers are scoring 1.3 points per such possession, the third-highest average out of 75 players with a minimum of 10 isolations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023

It features some bird motion — pecking isolations, swooping flocks.

From New York Times ● Jun. 16, 2022

In the great majority of human beings, the gregarious instinct is sufficiently powerful to render any but the most temporary isolations not simply disagreeable, but painful.

From A Modern Utopia by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

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Related Words

• confinement
• desolation
• remoteness
• segregation
• solitude

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