isolation
Americannoun
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isolations
plural
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an act or instance of isolating.
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the state of being isolated.
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the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.
- Synonyms:
- segregation
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the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.
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Psychoanalysis. a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.
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Sociology. social isolation.
noun
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the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated
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(of a country, party, etc) nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international politics
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med
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social separation of a person who has or is suspected of having a contagious disease Compare quarantine
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( as modifier )
an isolation hospital
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sociol a lack of contact between persons, groups, or whole societies
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social psychol the failure of an individual to maintain contact with others or genuine communication where interaction with others persists
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without regard to context, similar matters, etc
Synonym Usage
See solitude.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of isolation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing isolation
Western Europe - Introductory
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Western Europe - Middle School and High School
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Australia and New Zealand - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The film, which was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, follows Peter Parker as he struggles with changes to his powers and lives in isolation after erasing his identity.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
"Resource funding pays the staff who support vulnerable people, run employability programmes, tackle isolation and help families through difficult circumstances," she said.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Long space missions can force small crews to endure isolation, cramped living conditions, and intense psychological pressure for months at a time.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026
He’s got one foot on the so-called safe path — college, white-collar isolation — and the other on a career that’s already covering him in well-earned scars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
These studies indicate that the biggest problem the black community may face today is not “shamelessness” but rather the severe isolation, distrust, and alienation created by mass incarceration.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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
One is designed to maximize space for Harden to operate pick-and-rolls or create offense out of isolations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
The Celtics frequently run isolations, ranking near the top of the N.B.A. during the regular season, while Golden State was near the bottom.
From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2022
This is but human nature, seeing that they are subject to frequent and long isolations from the rest of the ship's company.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 380, June, 1847 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
